Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 18 (IANS) Maintaining that the army was an “apolitical” organisation, Indian Army chief General Vijay Kumar Singh Friday the encomiums showered on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi by a division commander in Ahmedabad recently will be examined.

“The army is absolutely apolitical. I don’t know what statement has been made (by the division commander). We are studying it as to what he has said. I can only say one thing…that there is no politicisation in the army,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of a tea hosted by him for army officers conferred with gallantry awards and service medals.

Golden Katar division commander Major General I.S. Singha had purpotedly praised Narendra Modi at a “know-year-army” event on Monday, describing his qualities as an administrator to be akin to that of army commanders.

This had led the army headquarters to seek a clarification on the statement.

Asked if the major general’s remarks on Narendra Modi were appropriate, Singh said he was not aware of the context of the speech and assured that there would be no politicisation of the army.

Speaking at another event, Defence minister A.K. Antony described the armed forces as “apolitical” and said he was yet to see a report on the major general’s statement praising Narendra Modi.

“I am yet to get a report about what happened there. So cannot comment on the basis of media reports. One good tradition of the armed forces — compared to many other (institutions) — is that they are apolitical,” he said.

“That tradition, I am sure, of our armed forces will continue. They are apolitical and their task is to protect the national security. They have to be vigilant round-the-clock and that they are doing,” he added.