Defence minister condemns veterans for letter to President Ram Nath Kovind

New Delhi: Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has condemned the submission of a letter to President Ram Nath Kovind by a group of retired senior defence personnel regarding political parties using the military’s image for their electioneering.

“Two senior officers said they have not given consent, worrying that fake letters being signed by vested groups. It is condemnable. The Rashtrapati Bhawan has also said that they have not received the letter (sic),” Ms Sitharaman said.

According to the veterans the letter was mailed to the official email ID of Rash-trapati Bhavan with a copy to the Election Commission.

The letter appealed to the President, the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, to ensure that the secular and apolitical character of the Armed Forces is preserved. “The apolitical and secular nature of India’s Armed Forces has been an article of faith for every soldier, sailor and airman,” it said.

The veterans urged the President to urgently direct all political parties to desist from using the military for political purposes or to further their political agendas.