Bankruptcy of thoughts: Ex-Army man slams Congress leader Nagma for standing with Richa Chadha

Calling Nagma’s support a “bankruptcy of thoughts”, Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd.) said: “The army is apolitical. It doesn’t matter to the army who is in power.”

Congress leader Nagma (left) came out in support of Richa Chadha.

By India Today Web Desk: The army is apolitical and politicians stay away from it all, asserted Lt Gen Sanjay Kulkarni (Retd.) as he slammed Congress leader Nagma for standing with Richa Chadha over her “Galwan says hi” tweet.

Calling Nagma’s support a “bankruptcy of thoughts”, the Siachen hero said: “The army is apolitical. It doesn’t matter to the army who is in power. Whoever is in power, they are the ones giving orders to the army. I fought in Siachen. Who was in power? I have great regards for Mrs Indira Gandhi. It doesn’t mean I have become a congressman. The army is not to be politicized. This vicious political environment looks like bankruptcy of thoughts.”

Also Read | Rajasthan Dalit man beaten, forced to drink urine for demanding payment for work

“The army commander responded to a question from a journalist and very politely so, saying the army will do what it is ordered to do. What else is he expected to say? It is time that politicians stayed away from it all. It is not their domain. If they do not understand, let them stay out. If she is a vice-president of a political unit, she must keep her mouth shut on these issues and not comment on them. It is better to refrain,” he added.

Congress leader Nagma Morarji came out in support of Richa Chadha’s controversial “Galwan says hi” tweet. The actor-turned-politician wrote “quite right” as she shared a tweet by one Col Ashok Kr Singh that read: “Galwan controversy on tweet by Richa Chadha I don’t think she mocked the sacrifice of soldiers. She was rather targeting a political statement given by a serving general to benefit the BJP in elections. When the Army gets politicised, then be ready for criticism and mocking too.”

Nagma, however, followed it with another tweet: “Hv utmost respect and hv always supported Martyrs Indian Army it’s Valour our Forces our Brave hearts who sacrificed their lives to keep our Nation Secured. #GalwanClash happened we lost 20 of our Brave-hearts who wer martyred why reason Chinese soldiers entered LoC our territory (sic).”

After severe online and offline backlash, Richa Chadha deleted her tweet hours after tweeting on Thursday. She also issued an apology, saying her comments were “unintentional”.

Also Read | Gandhis want Rajasthan cats to be belled but Kharge in no hurry to act