For decades, India’s armed forces have stood as a symbol of unity, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds to defend the nation. The military has always prided itself on being secular and professional, focusing on national security rather than ideological battles. But lately, that foundation seems to be cracking. The growing influence of Hindutva ideology within the armed forces is raising concerns about the erosion of this secular identity. The Modi government’s increasing push to inject religious nationalism into military spaces is changing the character of the defense forces in ways that could have serious consequences.
The shift isn’t just subtle—it’s becoming alarmingly visible. The phrase “Modi Ki Sena” (Modi’s Army), which once seemed like mere political rhetoric, is starting to feel like a reality. Senior military officers are making statements that align with the ruling party’s nationalist messaging, blurring the once-clear line between political leadership and military command. When the military starts to become a tool for political propaganda, its independence and integrity come under threat.
One particularly striking example is the removal of a painting commemorating India’s war victories from the Chief of Army Staff lounge. In its place, artwork depicting Hindu mythology has been installed. This isn’t just an aesthetic change—it’s a deliberate rewriting of military history, replacing real war heroes with mythological figures like Krishna and Chanakya. While these figures may hold cultural significance, their presence in military spaces signals a dangerous shift away from historical accuracy and towards ideological storytelling. The message is clear: the military is being rebranded to fit the Hindutva narrative rather than preserving its true legacy.
The Indian military has always been careful to keep religion separate from duty. Yet, in recent years, Hindu deities and symbols have started appearing more frequently in military settings. This shift is making many officers uneasy. Some have even voiced their concerns, warning that the growing religious influence is weakening the secular fabric that has held the armed forces together. Non-Hindu officers now worry about being sidelined as religious nationalism takes center stage. The military, once a neutral and professional institution, is at risk of becoming an ideological arm of Hindutva rather than a force focused solely on protecting the country.
The push for Hindutva symbolism isn’t limited to military bases—it’s now reaching the farthest corners of the country, including the strategically important region of Ladakh. Recently, a statue of Shivaji and a saffron flag were installed in the area, sparking backlash from local leaders. Ladakh has its own rich cultural history, deeply rooted in Buddhist and indigenous traditions. The region has no historical ties to Shivaji or Hindutva ideology, making the government’s decision seem like an attempt to impose an external identity on Ladakh. This move highlights a larger agenda: enforcing a singular national identity that erases India’s diverse heritage in favor of Hindu nationalism.
Beyond statues and paintings, the government is also reshaping how history is remembered. There’s a clear effort to glorify Hindu rulers while downplaying or erasing the contributions of Mughal and regional leaders. This kind of historical revisionism isn’t just about rewriting textbooks—it’s about redefining the military’s identity itself. The danger here is that it alienates personnel from different religious and cultural backgrounds, chipping away at the very unity that makes India’s armed forces strong.
Hindutva is now internationally recognized as a form of extremism, and its growing influence within India’s military raises alarm bells far beyond the country’s borders. The government frequently touts ambitious plans for indigenous AI, robotics, and hypersonic technology, but the reality is far less promising. Cyber vulnerabilities, corruption, and budget shortages are holding back real progress. The Tejas fighter jet program, for example, continues to face delays, and outdated procurement systems have left the military with significant equipment shortages. Despite all the grand talk of self-reliance, bureaucratic roadblocks and political interference have made true reform nearly impossible. Without meaningful execution, these promises remain just that—promises.
Another growing concern is the BJP’s increasing influence on military appointments. Promotions and extensions should be based on merit, experience, and strategic expertise, but political considerations are beginning to play a larger role. When appointments are made based on ideological loyalty rather than capability, the effectiveness of the military leadership is compromised. This kind of political interference weakens the military’s institutional integrity and raises fears that it is being used for partisan ends rather than national security.
Meanwhile, on the ground, soldiers are being asked to do everything from rolling out yoga mats to building bridges, while China continues to strengthen its position in Ladakh. The government may focus on symbolic gestures—renaming military institutions, installing statues, and emphasizing cultural nationalism—but none of these actions enhance national security. The real threats to India’s defense forces are internal: corruption, mismanagement, and poor strategic planning.
The consequences of this ideological transformation are deeply troubling. The Indian military has always been a secular, professional force, dedicated to protecting the nation above all else. By replacing real war heroes with mythological figures, sidelining non-Hindu officers, and injecting religious nationalism into military spaces, the government is dismantling the very principles that have defined the armed forces for decades.
India cannot afford to let its military become an ideological tool for any political party. A strong, professional, and secular military is crucial for national security. Replacing military symbols with saffron imagery won’t help reclaim lost territory or strengthen defense capabilities. If the current trajectory continues, India risks turning its military into a political and religious instrument rather than a cohesive, effective force.
Hindutva fanaticism doesn’t just threaten India’s internal stability—it has serious implications for the entire South Asian region. A military driven by religious nationalism rather than strategic priorities risks escalating tensions with neighboring countries, particularly those with significant Muslim populations like Pakistan and Bangladesh. South Asia has always been a fragile geopolitical zone, and an ideologically motivated Indian military could provoke unnecessary conflicts, further destabilizing the region. The armed forces must remain above politics, above religion, and above ideology. Anything less puts not just India’s security at risk, but the stability of the entire region.
[Photo by Yeswantheros, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Noor Ul Huda Atif is a PhD scholar of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Centre for Peace and Stability (CIPS) of National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. She is currently working as Research Officer at International Institute for Global Strategic Analysis (IIGSA). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect TGP’s editorial stance.
Read the full article here
