Bypassing the success of campaigns like ‘Operation Sindoor’ and ‘Operation Mahadev’ by the Indian Army, the questions raised by some opposition leaders regarding the names of these campaigns have once again raised the concern of why professional and sensitive institutes like Army are being dragged into political discourse. This is not only a threat to the dignity of the army, but also weakens the country’s collective security spirit.
Let us tell you that the names given by the army to their campaigns are neither part of any political agenda nor are elected to promote any particular religion. These names are often selected on the basis of location, cultural identity, symbolic inspiration or military tradition. The name of ‘Operation Mahadev’, as explained in the information, was taken from a geographical area called Mahadev Range which is located on the Amarnath Yatra route. At the same time, the reference to ‘Operation Sindoor’ was also associated with avenging the incident of desolate women in the Pahalgam terror attack.
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Critics have to understand that Operation Mahadev’s name is directly connected to the area where this campaign was run – Mahadev Range, which is a high mountain range located near the Amarnath Cave Marg. The name “Mahadev” is a means of identifying that place for both local people and soldiers. This name was chosen because it was locally relevant and not due to any religious declaration. Similarly, the security management of the Amarnath Yatra has been called “Operation Siva” for years, which is used to clarify the context in military maps and reports. This name is for operational clarity, not for religious instincts.
Let us tell you that the tradition of naming the Indian Army has been multi -faceted and inspiring. For example- “Exercise Sudarshan Shakti” can be named. This training exercise organized by the strike core in Bhopal is inspired by his symbol “Sudarshan Chakra”, which symbolizes strength, speed and strategic strength. Apart from this, the name of “Exercise Kurukshetra” can be taken. This exercise held at the Defense Services Staff College in Wellington is considered an ideal of the strategic scheme, even though its name is taken from the Mahabharata, it aims to test the decision-making capacity, not religious, but not religious.
In addition, the war of Garhwal Rifles is Ghosh “Badri Vishal Lal Ki Jai”, whose spiritual symbol is Lord Badrinath. The Garhwal Rifles consists of people of all religions and all consider their warfast as a source of morale. Not only this, “Operation Shamsheer” in Sri Lanka means the sword associated with the Islamic tradition. This operation was not named on religious grounds but as a symbol of courage and war ability.
Critics have to understand that the Indian Army’s approach is far more inclusive and balanced than Pakistan. Names of Pakistan’s military proceedings such as “Zarb-e-Momin” (honesty injuries) or “Jarb-e-Azb” (Prophet’s sword injury) are clearly influenced by religious motivation. Conversely, the purpose of the Indian Army is to “motivate”, not “imposing beliefs”. The naming of the Indian Army has never been a medium to impose uniformity or promote a particular religion. The purpose behind this is – military pride, spatial signs and promotion of morale. Names like “Mahadev”, “Shiva”, “Sudarshan”, “Kurukshetra” take inspiration from the Indian cultural heritage, but they are used for strategic identity and inspiration, not religious propaganda.
Making the name of army campaigns a part of political debate is a dangerous trend. The Indian Army is a secular, professional and inclusive organization, where people of every caste, religion, region and language protect the nation. Seeing the name of a campaign with religious glasses is like putting a question mark on the intention and fairness of the army, which is unfair and inconsistent. The specialty of the Indian Army is that it presents an example of unity by adopting diversity. In Garhwal Rifles, there are cheers of “Badri Vishal”, then in the Sikh Regiment “Jo Bole So Nihal”. Every regiment has its own tradition, but all of them have a shared element, duties, respect and dedication.
However, differences in politics are natural, but it is against the national interest to connect those differences with the professional functioning of the army. In any democracy, the role of the army is not of the government or the opposition, but the security of the nation.
-Niraj Kumar Dubey