Bhubaneswar: Footage circulating on social media from January 24 has shown Indian Army personnel attending a religious programme at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh, where they were seen participating in a katha conducted by religious preacher Dhirendra Krishna Shastri. The visuals also show soldiers cutting cakes bearing the words “Sita Ram” and interacting with devotees at the venue.
The video has drawn mixed reactions online. Supporters have described the participation as an expression of personal faith and patriotic devotion by members of the armed forces, praising the soldiers for engaging with the public during the event.
However, the footage has also attracted criticism from some quarters. Retired Army officers and commentators have questioned the appropriateness of uniformed personnel taking part in non-regimental religious activities. Retired Colonel Danvir Singh described the incident as a violation of the Indian Army’s secular ethos and code of conduct, and called for an inquiry into the circumstances under which the personnel participated in the event.
The Indian Army maintains strict guidelines emphasizing secularism, neutrality, and uniformity, particularly when personnel appear in uniform at public or religious gatherings. Critics argue that visible association with religious events outside officially sanctioned regimental practices could raise concerns about institutional discipline and the apolitical character of the force.
As of January 25, the Indian Army has not issued any official statement regarding the incident. The matter continues to generate discussion on social media and among defence observers, with calls for clarity on whether existing protocols were followed.
