The Election Commission on March 9, directed all political parties to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda or campaigning. The direction came after a complaint by the ministry of defence. India’s former Navy chief Admiral L Ramdas had also written to the Election Commission expressing concern over the misuse of the Balakot airstrike to campaign for upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
The EC said, “It is pertinent to mention that the armed forces of a nation are the guardians of its frontiers, security and the political system. They are apolitical and neutral stakeholders in a modern democracy. It is, therefore, necessary that political parties and leaders exercise great caution while making any reference to the armed forces in their political campaigns. The Commission is of the view that photographs of the chief of army staff or any other defence personnel and photographs of functions of defence forces should not be associated with or used in any manner in advertisement/propaganda/campaigning or in any other manner in connection with elections by political parties and candidates.”
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The EC added, “The Commission calls upon all political parties to advise their candidates/leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning.”
While the EC’s directive is a welcome one, what is concerning is the fact that the EC did not take note that only one national party is engaging in this activity in a major way — the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav took to Twitter to make a list of all the BJP posters, banners and ads that featured either the armed forces or even Wing Commander Abhinandan (who was captured by Pakistani troops before he was released back to India).
Dear Election Commission of India:
Is this permissible?
Using photograph of a serving soldier in political posters?
If not, will you act against it? pic.twitter.com/IiGUkphZWM— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 9, 2019
Starting a thread here with some evidence of blatant misuse of army images for elections. Please reply and post more images (any party).
अगर आपके पास फौज के नाम पर राजनीति की कोई तस्वीरें है (चाहे जो भी पार्टी हो) उसे रिप्लाई में पोस्ट करें। pic.twitter.com/zH05bhqwu4
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 9, 2019
Posting more photos of misuse of armed forces symbolism for elections.
Posting as received. Unable to verify. Pl send more.कई और फोटो मिले हैं, पोस्ट कर रहा हूं। और भेजिए। pic.twitter.com/vNFHmLMWZA
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) March 10, 2019
Others, too, and tweeted about BJP and Narendra Modi hoardings and posters across the country that featured the armed forces.
Big hoardings of Self Styled Field Martial Modi put in Ahemdabad leading his army in next elections.. Now you know.. Why Modi doesn't want Generals around? (Uri Movie) Excrp Self Styled Chief of Def Staff Doval…a narrative in making… For a dictator to rise pic.twitter.com/AUNnBLxhYf
— Ashok (@ashokkmrsingh) March 4, 2019
Using images of army in their posters,BJP/Modi paying back to the martyrs by advertising it to win votes.Such a powerful leader indeed.
Wait until it's revealed this was an inside job
Try to defend such an obnoxious monster even then, proving ur loyalty is for Modi not the Nation pic.twitter.com/NDzCxHgxJ0— Dev Ashish (@Dr_DevAshish94) March 2, 2019
BJP candidate is wearing Military costume during vote campaign while Captain Abhinandan's photograph & photos of other soldiers are being used in BJP posters and banners. BJP is trying shamelessly to reap harvest from army actions & thus insulting our bravehearts. Shame to BJP! pic.twitter.com/RcTQDGstYg
— Basab Basak (@basak_basab) March 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/reachsk7/status/1102082992355270656
https://twitter.com/NaliniSinghFC/status/1104562934657835008
But of course, “all” political parties must desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel.
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