New Delhi: A former naval chief, Admiral Arun Prakash, has castigated the Indian Navy’s pitch for the new epaulettes, which used uncharacteristic words in Hindi alone and seemed to chime in with the prime minister’s characterisation and tone on “ghulami ki virasat (heritage of slavery)”. Admiral Prakash wrote, “Agree. It is unnecessary & in poor taste to harp on so called “ग़ुलामी की विरासत”, because it casts aspersions on post-independence generations of patriotic IN personnel who have served the navy & nation, fought wars & shed blood.”Agree. It is unnecessary & in poor taste to harp on so called “ग़ुलामी की विरासत”, because it casts aspersions on post-independence generations of patriotic IN personnel who have served the navy & nation, fought wars & shed blood. https://t.co/ojdkFrGgMJ— Arun Prakash (@arunp2810) December 31, 2023The Indian Naval spokesperson’s handle said, “As we usher in the new year #2024, #IndianNavy proudly unveils the new Design of Admirals’ Epaulettes. Announced by @PMOIndia during #NavyDay2023 at Sindhudurg – the in the new Design, drawn from the Naval Ensign & inspired from Rajmudra of #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj, is a true reflection of our rich maritime heritage. Adoption of the new design reaffirms our commitment to the two pillars of #PanchPran‘ – ‘Virasat Par Garv’ & ‘Ghulami ki Mansikta se Mukti ‘. #BharatiyaNausena embracing #Bharatiyata in letter and spirit”, with pictures and videos prominently featuring the prime minister.Another Naval veteran wrote asking, in addition, why the PMO was being “tagged” in what should be something for the armed forces, if at all, “By repeating गुलामी की मानसिकता ad nauseam & pinning reasons for such changes to a hitherto neglected विरासत (not so IMHO), you’ve diminished an entire galaxy of leaders & mariners who gave shape to our navy. color is jarring & there’s little nuance. Also, why tag PMO in this?”As reported by The Wire, a cross-section of senior retired naval officers were privately critical of the prime minister’s announcement on what they considered to be an ‘exclusively’ internal service matter in his Navy Day address at Sindhudurg this year.In recent months, the Indian Navy has aligned itself closely with the ideological pronouncements of the ruling BJP. At this year’s biannual Indian Navy commanders’ conference in New Delhi, there were deliberations on sundry operational matters and on incorporating the hitherto proscribed kurta-pyjama as an accepted dress form in naval messes, wardrooms, official establishments and on formal occasions. The Navy displayed possible variations of its proposed dress at the three-day conference for approval by Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt; it included a mannequin exhibiting a shorter kurti, worn under a waistcoat, and a drainpipe pyjama.
