Captain proposal row: Retd Military officer HS Panag remembers how he dealt with such instances
Retired lieutenant normal HS Panag has joined the brigade of supporters standing behind newly commissioned Military pilot Captain Bharat Bhardwaj, saying younger officers shouldn’t be subjected to extreme scrutiny over private moments, as a debate continues over the officer’s viral proposal to his accomplice following a passing-out parade in Nashik.
Panag’s intervention provides to a rising checklist of retired senior navy officers who’ve defended Bhardwaj after movies of the proposal — filmed on the Fight Military Aviation Coaching College in Maharashtra on Tuesday — triggered a social media storm over questions of navy protocol and safety.
In a submit on X, the previous Military officer stated he had encountered comparable conditions throughout service and made aware efforts to defend younger officers from what he described as unnecessarily inflexible interpretations of rules.
“Handled many such points in service. Went out of my option to shield and keep the dignity and free spirit of enthusiastic younger officers and troopers,” Panag wrote.
He stated he would usually assessment confidential reviews of junior officers and intervene when commanders increased up the chain took a harsher view of such incidents.
“At worst, issued generic letter of avoidance with out mentioning names or the incident,” he added.
Additionally Learn | ‘Teenager nahi karega, toh kaun’: Veterans defend Military captain after proposal sparks ‘safety’ issues
Viral proposal sparks debate
The controversy erupted after movies confirmed Bhardwaj, wearing ceremonial uniform, happening on one knee on the tarmac and proposing to his accomplice with an Military helicopter seen within the background. The proposal got here shortly after the passing-out parade on the Military’s premier aviation coaching establishment.
Whereas the clip drew widespread reward on-line, critics questioned whether or not the usage of a navy setting and the next circulation of photos on social media violated established protocols.
The Military has taken cognisance of the matter and is predicted to hunt a proof from the officer. Nonetheless, sources indicated that whereas sure protocols could have been breached, the incident is unlikely to end in any main disciplinary motion.
Additionally Learn | Military passing-out parade in Nashik ends with Captain down on one knee, a shock marriage proposal | Watch
Veterans dismiss safety issues
Panag’s remarks echo these of a number of retired officers who’ve dismissed claims that the proposal constituted a safety lapse.
Former chief of built-in defence employees Lt Gen (retd) Satish Dua stated there was “an excessive amount of toxicity” across the photos and argued that navy tools is routinely seen to the general public throughout official occasions.
Lt Gen (retd) KJS Dhillon additionally strongly defended the officer, saying critics had been indulging in pointless “nuktachini” over what was basically a private and emotional second.
Retired lieutenant normal DP Pandey equally argued that the proposal occurred after formal proceedings had ended and that issues being raised on-line had been disproportionate to the character of the incident.
