NEW DELHI: The government appointed Col Aman Anand as acting spokesperson of the ministry of defence and sent most important spokesperson Swaranashree Rao Rajashekar on leave on Friday after her tweet precipitated sturdy reactions. The tweet, from the ministry's reliable Twitter care for, gave the impression to criticise former Navy leader Admiral Arun Prakash.
"Col. Aman Anand took over as the acting official spokesperson of MoD as the spokesperson proceeds on leave," the defence ministry mentioned in a tweet.
It all began after Admiral Prakash retweeted a photograph appearing an army flag on the bonnet of an reliable automotive of the internal monetary adviser to the Army's Western Command. Commenting on the photograph, Admiral Prakash mentioned, "Even if misuse of an Army command's insignia by a civilian is not a cognisable offence, the person needs to be reprimanded by the GOC-in-C whose ‘financial adviser' he is."
In response, using MoD's reliable Twitter care for, Rajashekar mentioned, "What about misuse of jawans in your residence during an officer's tenure sir? And how about children being picked up and dropped to school in Fauji (military) gaadis (vehicles)? Not to forget Madam's shopping expedition on government vehicles. And endless parties… who pays for that?"
Usually, officers of the Indian Information Service are appointed as most important spokespersons of the defence ministry. Rajashekar was once an exception to the tradition. Sources mentioned Rajashekar tweeted towards Admiral Prakash's put up because it targeted her former colleague from IDAS. The indiscretion, on the other hand, made her place untenable and he or she was once directed to move on leave, assets mentioned.
The offensive tweet resulted in a furore on social media and came in for really extensive criticism from military veterans and well because the civil society. The put up was once due to this fact deleted and an apology issued, at the side of an evidence that it was once "inadvertently done". However, the government stepped into harm regulate soon after and appointed Col Anand as intervening time spokesperson till a proper appointment is made.
Admiral Prakash, a 72-year-old decorated struggle hero who served as Navy leader between July 2004 and October 2006, later referred to as for "sober reflection on the state of civil-military relationship". He tweeted: "Rather than getting excited over indiscreet tweet of @SpokespersonMoD I would suggest sober reflection; (a) by MoD on state of civil-mil relations & (b) by Military Leadership on the aspersions cast by MoD (IDAS?) civil-servant on personal conduct of service officers."
The incident, on the other hand, drew flak from a number of quarters. Retired Maj Gen Harsha Kakar tweeted, "Is this inadvertent. It shows the true colours of your MoD Madam. You are meant to protect the military, not insult it. Keeping this spokesperson is an insult to India, its armed forces and their sacrifices. It shows no respect for senior veterans. Your spokesperson is a disaster."
Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Manmohan Bahadur referred to as Rajashekar's tweet "shameful". BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanded an inquiry. "Dear @DefenceMinIndia @DrSubhashMoS — who is this ‘Defence spokesperson' who reprsnts MoD ie govt n talks like this. This is unacceptable conduct n I wud rqst an enquiry into this. This is unconscionable, disrespectful n arrogance tht behooves a response. @PMOIndia (sic)," he tweeted.
"Col. Aman Anand took over as the acting official spokesperson of MoD as the spokesperson proceeds on leave," the defence ministry mentioned in a tweet.
It all began after Admiral Prakash retweeted a photograph appearing an army flag on the bonnet of an reliable automotive of the internal monetary adviser to the Army's Western Command. Commenting on the photograph, Admiral Prakash mentioned, "Even if misuse of an Army command's insignia by a civilian is not a cognisable offence, the person needs to be reprimanded by the GOC-in-C whose ‘financial adviser' he is."
In response, using MoD's reliable Twitter care for, Rajashekar mentioned, "What about misuse of jawans in your residence during an officer's tenure sir? And how about children being picked up and dropped to school in Fauji (military) gaadis (vehicles)? Not to forget Madam's shopping expedition on government vehicles. And endless parties… who pays for that?"
Usually, officers of the Indian Information Service are appointed as most important spokespersons of the defence ministry. Rajashekar was once an exception to the tradition. Sources mentioned Rajashekar tweeted towards Admiral Prakash's put up because it targeted her former colleague from IDAS. The indiscretion, on the other hand, made her place untenable and he or she was once directed to move on leave, assets mentioned.
The offensive tweet resulted in a furore on social media and came in for really extensive criticism from military veterans and well because the civil society. The put up was once due to this fact deleted and an apology issued, at the side of an evidence that it was once "inadvertently done". However, the government stepped into harm regulate soon after and appointed Col Anand as intervening time spokesperson till a proper appointment is made.
Admiral Prakash, a 72-year-old decorated struggle hero who served as Navy leader between July 2004 and October 2006, later referred to as for "sober reflection on the state of civil-military relationship". He tweeted: "Rather than getting excited over indiscreet tweet of @SpokespersonMoD I would suggest sober reflection; (a) by MoD on state of civil-mil relations & (b) by Military Leadership on the aspersions cast by MoD (IDAS?) civil-servant on personal conduct of service officers."
The incident, on the other hand, drew flak from a number of quarters. Retired Maj Gen Harsha Kakar tweeted, "Is this inadvertent. It shows the true colours of your MoD Madam. You are meant to protect the military, not insult it. Keeping this spokesperson is an insult to India, its armed forces and their sacrifices. It shows no respect for senior veterans. Your spokesperson is a disaster."
Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Manmohan Bahadur referred to as Rajashekar's tweet "shameful". BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanded an inquiry. "Dear @DefenceMinIndia @DrSubhashMoS — who is this ‘Defence spokesperson' who reprsnts MoD ie govt n talks like this. This is unacceptable conduct n I wud rqst an enquiry into this. This is unconscionable, disrespectful n arrogance tht behooves a response. @PMOIndia (sic)," he tweeted.
MoD spokesperson removed after tweet triggers outrage
![MoD spokesperson removed after tweet triggers outrage]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 27, 2018
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