Trolled on social media, Army deletes tweet on ‘iftaar’ party in J-K’s Doda

Jammu: The Army’s tweet about organizing an ‘Iftar’ party for the civilian population in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district was deleted after it was allegedly trolled by extremist elements, highlighting the secular character of the armed forces. Feeling hurt by the pictures taken. “Keeping alive the traditions of secularism, an Iftar was organized by the Indian Army at Arnora in Doda district”, reads the now deleted tweet on the Twitter handle of PRO Defense Jammu. It was accompanied by several photographs showing the military and civilians breaking the Ramadan fast together, a senior officer interacting with locals and a man in uniform attending prayers.

However, the tweet, which was uploaded on April 21, was deleted within hours of trolls’ handles apparently going against the secular character of the army, a practice which is followed by the force. Maintains ‘Sarva Dharma Sthal’ – – Place of worship for all religions in all its formations across the country.

Though an army spokesman declined to comment on the issue, an army official said on condition of anonymity that the force had not only tweeted about the ceremony, but also issued an official release. Because iftar parties are a regular feature during the fasting month of Ramadan. A strong bond with the public.

Surprised and saddened to see the reaction of some people to the tweet, which sparked unnecessary debate and was killing the core message of maintaining communal harmony, the official said.

“Now the disease has spread to the Indian Army as well? Sadly,” a tweet in Hindi by a social media user referring to the Army hosting an Iftar party sparked a debate in support and opposition of the Army.

However, the removal of the tweet from the handle of the army did not go down well with the veteran soldiers.

Major General (Retd) Yash Mor tweeted, “Indian Army has been at the forefront of inter-religious harmony. We as officers take pride in the fact that we have no religion, we only follow the religion of our soldiers ”

Originally published at Pen 18