The Crossbill Team
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi’s recent visit to spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya’s ashram in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, has drawn public attention and raised concerns over the appropriateness of a serving army chief participating in a religious ceremony while in uniform.
During the visit on Wednesday (May 28), General Dwivedi was seen meeting the revered spiritual figure at his ashram.
Following the meeting, Rambhadracharya made a controversial statement to news agency PTI, claiming that he had initiated the army chief into the "Ram Mantra" and, when asked what "dakshina" (offering) he would like, he demanded Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to the religious leader, General Dwivedi accepted the request, saying India is ready to give Pakistan “an appropriate response.”
“The Indian Army Chief came to me. He received initiation from me in the Ram Mantra - the same mantra that Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka. Afterwards, when the matter of 'Dakshina' came up, I said I would ask for a 'Dakshina' that no teacher has ever asked for before. I said, 'I want PoK.' He accepted my request. We are ready to give Pakistan an appropriate response,” Rambhadracharya told PTI.
The visit comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, which saw India carry out military strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation escalated into a four-day military conflict, ending on May 10 after a ceasefire was announced.
While the US President Donald Trump claimed credit for mediating the ceasefire, India has maintained that the cessation of hostilities was mutually agreed upon with Pakistan.
General Dwivedi’s appearance at a religious site while in official uniform has prompted criticism, with observers questioning whether it violates the military’s code of conduct on religious neutrality and uniformed appearances.
In 2024, the Army had reiterated guidelines restricting personnel from wearing religious symbols, trinkets, or markers while in uniform, following viral social media posts showing soldiers in religious attire.
The controversy follows another recent incident involving the Indian Army’s symbolism.
In December, a historic photograph of the 1971 Pakistani surrender in Dhaka was removed from the Army Chief’s office and replaced by a painting reportedly inspired by the Mahabharata. The Army later clarified that the original image had been relocated to the Manekshaw Centre, a prominent military facility in New Delhi.
General Dwivedi’s visit, and the statements emerging from it, have reignited debate over the delicate balance between military protocol and personal religious engagements, especially in politically sensitive times.
During the visit on Wednesday (May 28), General Dwivedi was seen meeting the revered spiritual figure at his ashram.
Following the meeting, Rambhadracharya made a controversial statement to news agency PTI, claiming that he had initiated the army chief into the "Ram Mantra" and, when asked what "dakshina" (offering) he would like, he demanded Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to the religious leader, General Dwivedi accepted the request, saying India is ready to give Pakistan “an appropriate response.”
“The Indian Army Chief came to me. He received initiation from me in the Ram Mantra - the same mantra that Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka. Afterwards, when the matter of 'Dakshina' came up, I said I would ask for a 'Dakshina' that no teacher has ever asked for before. I said, 'I want PoK.' He accepted my request. We are ready to give Pakistan an appropriate response,” Rambhadracharya told PTI.
The visit comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, which saw India carry out military strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. The operation escalated into a four-day military conflict, ending on May 10 after a ceasefire was announced.
While the US President Donald Trump claimed credit for mediating the ceasefire, India has maintained that the cessation of hostilities was mutually agreed upon with Pakistan.
General Dwivedi’s appearance at a religious site while in official uniform has prompted criticism, with observers questioning whether it violates the military’s code of conduct on religious neutrality and uniformed appearances.
In 2024, the Army had reiterated guidelines restricting personnel from wearing religious symbols, trinkets, or markers while in uniform, following viral social media posts showing soldiers in religious attire.
The controversy follows another recent incident involving the Indian Army’s symbolism.
In December, a historic photograph of the 1971 Pakistani surrender in Dhaka was removed from the Army Chief’s office and replaced by a painting reportedly inspired by the Mahabharata. The Army later clarified that the original image had been relocated to the Manekshaw Centre, a prominent military facility in New Delhi.
General Dwivedi’s visit, and the statements emerging from it, have reignited debate over the delicate balance between military protocol and personal religious engagements, especially in politically sensitive times.
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