- Former Army Chief Naravane Slams War Hype
- Violence Not The Answer
Article Today, Pune:
Former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Naravane made strong remarks against growing comments questioning why India didn’t enter into full-scale war with Pakistan. Speaking at an event in Pune on Monday, he criticized those glorifying war, reminding that real conflict is far from what movies portray.
“War Is Not Romantic”
“War is not a romantic scene from a Bollywood movie. It is a grave, serious matter,” said Naravane. He emphasized that war or violence should always be the last resort. Quoting Prime Minister Modi, he added, “This is not an era of war,” and criticized some for making reckless statements encouraging conflict.
Pain of Border People
Naravane highlighted the suffering of civilians living near the border, especially children, during ceasefire violations. “People run to shelters in the night, fearing for their lives. The trauma stays for generations,” he said, noting that many who witnessed war horrors need psychological help even decades later.
On Limited Military Action
Referring to the retaliation after the Pahalgam terror attack, he recalled that India’s Operation Sindoor had destroyed seven terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Though a tense military standoff followed for four days, a mutual ceasefire was agreed upon. Naravane criticized those questioning why India didn’t pursue a full war, stating, “As a soldier, I will go to war if ordered, but my first choice is always diplomacy.”
Violence Not The Answer
“Violence is never the solution,” said Naravane. He urged for dialogue to resolve not only international disputes but also domestic issues within families, states, and communities. Stressing the importance of national security, he noted that nearly 15% of the national budget is allocated to the defence ministry — calling it “a kind of insurance premium” for the nation’s safety.
