Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi has faced sharp criticism after he visited a Hindu ashram in uniform, sparking a debate over the role of religion in the country’s armed forces. General Dwivedi visited the ashram of Hindu spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, drawing condemnation from various quarters, including senior journalists, who labeled the move a departure from the secular and apolitical character traditionally maintained by the Indian military.
Noted Indian journalist and former army officer Sushant Singh, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated: “Civil-military relations are strained when military leaders align with partisan religious agendas, undermining the apolitical ethos of India’s secular armed forces.” The timing of the visit is particularly sensitive as it occurred just days after a brief but intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan.
The four-day conflict erupted following an attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which resulted in 26 civilian fatalities. India swiftly attributed the incident to Pakistan, although it has yet to present concrete evidence. The military escalation was halted on May 10 after the United States mediated a ceasefire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. During the hostilities, Pakistan launched “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting multiple Indian military installations and downing six Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafales, alongside dozens of drones. Indian Air Marshal AK Bharti, when questioned about the aerial losses, downplayed the situation, stating that “losses are a part of combat,” without offering further clarification.
The Indian Army has previously taken measures to ensure that military personnel maintain religious neutrality while in uniform. A directive was issued last year cautioning military officials against wearing religious trinkets, symbols, or accessories while in uniform. This advisory followed instances where some officers were seen donning religious markers in widely circulated social media posts. General Dwivedi’s recent appearance at a religious institution has therefore raised eyebrows, with critics warning that such actions risk politicizing the armed forces and eroding public confidence in their neutrality.
