Refrain making controversial statements, says NCP to Army Chief

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on 16 January said that Army Chief Bipin Rawat should refrain himself from making any controversial statement as it can go against the interest of the country.

Speaking to ANI, NCP leader Majeed Memon said it is the duty of the Ministry's spokesperson to address media if anything is to be conveyed, and not the Army chief.

"It is the duty of Ministry's spokesperson to address media if anything is to be conveyed, not the Army chief. He (Rawat) should refrain from making any controversial statement, it will go against the interest of the country," he said.

On Friday, while addressing the media, Rawat added, "In the schools in Jammu and Kashmir, what teachers are teaching should not be taught. In schools, there can be seen two maps, one of India another of Jammu and Kashmir. Why do we need a separate map for the state? What does it teach the children?"

In retaliation, the state's education minister Altaf Bukhari on Saturday said the Army Chief should not give "sermons on education." He also defended the presence of two maps in the classroom.

"There are two flags in the state. We have Jammu and Kashmir constitution and India's constitution as well. Every school has a state map as it is needed to teach about the state," Bukhari argued.

Also, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday questioned the Army Chief's extensive media engagements, adding that the Army "used to work silently and strongly."

During a recent media briefing in Delhi, Rawat said the force was ready to call Pakistan's "nuclear bluff" and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.

The army chief, while addressing on the occasion of 70th Army Day, on Monday added that the ceasefire violations by Pakistan were frequent and the Indian Army had retaliated to it effectively.

"Ceasefire violations by Pakistan happen frequently, to which we respond effectively. We will take even stronger steps against our enemies if we are compelled to do so", said Rawat.

He was responding to a question on the possibility of Pakistan using its nuclear weapons, in case the situation along the border deteriorates. 

-ANI