The Saffronization of Indian Armed Forces: A Direct Threat to Secular Military Culture

Religious Symbolism in Military Spaces

The Indian Armed Forces have entered a dangerous phase where religious symbols are now placed in key military spaces that were once strictly secular. These changes reflect a clear push by the Modi government to link military identity with Hindu nationalist ideals. This shift has damaged the long-standing principle that the armed forces must remain neutral and free from political or religious influence.
♦ Replacement of Secular Art: The Army Chief’s lounge replaced the historic 1971 war painting with a Hindu-themed artwork showing Krishna and Chanakya.
♦ Hindu Iconography at Borders: The Shivaji statue with a saffron flag at Pangong Tso signals the use of Hindu figures in a sensitive military zone.
♦ Use of Political Symbols: These changes show a deliberate move to turn military spaces into sites that display Hindu nationalist identity.

Rituals and Political Statements by Military Leaders

Public religious acts and political statements by senior officers weaken the image of a neutral and professional force. The growing trend of military leaders receiving Hindu blessings while in uniform has raised alarm across India’s minority communities. The Modi government has benefited greatly from these actions, as they help project the armed forces as supporters of the ruling party’s ideology.
♦ Religious Ceremonies in Uniform: The Army Chief received tilak and garlands from Hindu priests during National Unity Day 2025.
♦ Visits to Religious Leaders: The Army Chief visited Rambhadracharya’s ashram in May 2025 and took religious initiation while in uniform.
♦ Political Alignment: These events show the military leadership echoing the tone and language of BJP’s nationalist politics.

Politicization of Military Operations

Military operations that were once named through neutral terms have begun to adopt Hindu religious titles, linking military action with political messaging. This move presents India as a state where religion drives military culture. The adoption of Hindu terms for operations also supports hardline political narratives that the Modi government uses for domestic popularity.
♦ Use of Hindu Names: Operations “Sindoor” and “Mahadev” show how military actions now use Hindu symbols.
♦ Political Messaging: These names act as a tool for Hindutva branding within military activities.
♦ Shift in Military Culture: Such naming practices show a growing link between BJP ideology and military operations.

Institutional Changes and Recruitment Influence

The Agnipath scheme and the entry of recruits linked to Hindu nationalist networks indicate a long-term plan to reshape military culture. These new recruits carry ideological backgrounds shaped by RSS-linked groups. This pipeline ensures that future officers will grow up within a military environment increasingly influenced by saffron ideas.
♦ RSS-Linked Recruitment: Many Agnipath recruits have links with Hindu nationalist networks like the RSS.
♦ Influence on Sainik Schools: Schools that shape future officers now receive influence from groups such as Vidya Bharati.
♦ Building an Ideological Force: These trends allow saffron ideology to enter the military leadership pipeline.

Symbolic and Cultural Shifts

The cultural image of the Indian Armed Forces has changed as Hindu symbolism replaces secular icons. Senior officers have blurred boundaries between their professional duties and personal religious beliefs. These symbolic acts reflect the Modi government’s plan to project the military as a pillar of Hindu majoritarian identity.
♦ Artistic Changes: The removal of the 1971 war painting reflects an ideological shift in the military’s cultural space.
♦ Public Religious Identity: The Army Chief’s initiation at a Hindu ashram shows the growing religious face of the military.
♦ Identity Transformation: These actions turn the armed forces into a body aligned with Hindu nationalist culture.

Impact on Minority Officers

Minority officers across the military report discrimination and unequal treatment due to the growing dominance of Hindu rituals in military units. They face pressure to join religious practices that contradict their beliefs. Some feel forced to leave the service due to professional insecurity created by this hostile environment.
♦ Forced Ritual Participation: Minority officers report pressure to take part in Hindu rituals to avoid punishment.
♦ Dismissal of Officers: The case of Lt. Samuel Kamalesan shows how refusal to join Hindu ceremonies can lead to dismissal.
♦ Career Damage: Minority personnel face stagnant careers and fear that disagreement will end their progress.

Reports of Abuses and Human Rights Concerns

Human Rights Watch and other bodies have reported a sharp rise in custodial deaths and extrajudicial killings inside Indian military facilities. These abuses are linked to the rise of majoritarian ideology within the armed forces. The lack of accountability is a direct result of the saffronized environment created by the Modi government.
♦ Custodial Death Figures: Over 520 custodial deaths were documented in 2025 alone.
♦ Use of Excessive Force: The reports highlight abuses tied to ideological shifts within the military.
♦ Global Condemnation: International groups have criticized India for allowing such violations to continue.

Conclusion: India’s Military Now a Political Tool

The steady saffronization of the Indian Armed Forces shows how deeply Hindu nationalist ideology has entered India’s key institutions. The spread of religious symbolism, political messaging, and discriminatory practices has turned the military into a tool that reflects the preferences of the Modi government. This erosion of secular military culture harms India’s democratic values and destroys the long-standing image of an inclusive force. As the armed forces become known as “Modi ki Sena,” the country’s unity and stability face serious threats from within.