A group of 114 armed forces veterans have expressed their displeasure over the recent attacks on minorities and a “clampdown” on freedom of speech in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all Chief Ministers.
“It saddens us to write this letter, but current events in India have compelled us to register our dismay at the divisiveness that is gripping our country,” the veterans, including Admiral L. Ramdas, Major General Dipankar Banerjee, Major General M.P.S. Kandal, said in a letter dated July 30, 2017, also addressed to the Lieutenant-Governors of Union Territories.
“We stand with the ‘Not in My Name’ campaign that mobilised thousands of citizens across the country to protest against the current climate of fear, intimidation, hate and suspicion,” they added. The “Not in My Name” campaign in June 2017 saw protests across the country against incidents of lynching.
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The veterans said that the country is witnessing “unprecedented attacks” by “relentless vigilantism of self-appointed protectors of Hinduism” and particularly condemned the targeting of Muslims and Dalits.
In the letter, the veterans said that media outlets, civil society groups, universities and scholars had been branded “anti-nationals” and faced violence while the State governments have looked away.
“We can no longer look away. We would be doing a disservice to our country if we do not stand up and speak for the liberal and secular values that our Constitution espouses. Our diversity is our greatest strength. Dissent is not treason; in fact, it is the essence of democracy,” the veterans said, urging both the Centre and the States to take note of the concerns.
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