Saddened by Error in Modi’s Speech: Field Marshal Cariappa’s Son

KC Cariappa is “saddened” by PM Modi’s speech about his father, the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army.

Air Marshal KC Cariappa (R) expressed unhappiness over PM Modi’s speech about his father, and Jawaharlal Nehru.

(Photo: Rahul Gupta/The Quint)

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi was called out for glaring errors in an election campaign speech about Field Marshal KM Cariappa and General Thimayya, Cariappa's son has expressed disappointment over the error in the PM’s speech in reference to his father and former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, saying he “feels saddened” that Modi read out such a speech.

While electioneering in Karnataka, PM Modi had indicated that Field Marshal Cariappa, who was also the first commander-in-chief of the Indian Army, had been disgraced by the then Congress government.

KC Cariappa, who was also an Air Marshal in the Indian Air Force, clarified the timeline that had been misconstrued by the prime minister in his speech.

The controversies that cropped up were between General Thimmayya and Krishna Menon. There were no controversies between my father and Krishna Menon, because he was in the United Nations and father was here.

KC Cariappa, former Air Marshal

The person who was responsible for misleading PM Modi "should have been rapped across the knuckles,” Cariappa said.

However, he said he was saddened Modi had been reviled “about something that he would not be expected to know.”

In an earlier fact-check, The Quint had proven that when KM Cariappa was serving as the commander-in-chief, it was Baldev Singh who was the defence minister of the country.

Further, while PM Modi had stated that KM Cariappa had led the forces in the 1962 Indo-China war, the fact is that the Field Marshal had already retired nine years earlier.

However, the former Air Marshal said he was “reasonably certain” that PM Modi would express his remorse over his statement.

But I’m reasonably certain because the muck hit the ceiling fan, he will be contrite about the statement.

KC Cariappa, former Air Marshal