The Indian Army on Tuesday, 8 May took to Twitter to slam the cover photo of the latest edition of India Today of a soldier holding his pockets inside out – suggesting an apparent lack of funds. The headline read: “The Army is Broke”.
The army wrote that its sentiments were “deeply hurt” by the “morphed photograph”. It further noted that it had requested the magazine to respond to the many concerns it had raised in relation to the image.
What Was the India Today Cover Story About?
The seemingly objectionable photograph was accompanied by an article which spoke about a possible budget squeeze that the Army could be facing, which would stand to have an adverse effect on their preparation for a potential two-front war.
Several army officials, on the condition of anonymity, told the magazine that the Army did not possess the resources to sustain a two-front war, were it to happen. "We presently have barely enough to hold both fronts," a senior army official said.
They also said that the army was given a “short shrift” in this year's budget, which it found glaringly insufficient.
According to the article, India’s defence spend as a percentage of the GDP is just 1.6 percent minus pensions, the lowest it’s been since the 1962 war.
Additionally, it says, China spends $175 billion on military expenditure, which is three times that of India’s $45 billion.
The article, naturally, has seemingly put the army’s reputation, and that of the defence department, at a bit of a disadvantage. Add to it, the picture of a “broke” soldier accompanying the story, was not received well by the army.
Twitter Reacts to Indian Army’s Tweet
The Army’s tweet, expressing its displeasure at the photograph accompanying the cover story and stating that it had hurt their sentiments, garnered mixed responses on Twitter.
The popular response, however, seems to question why the Indian army is choosing to be more “hurt” by the photograph, rather than actually challenge what was mentioned in the article – what the defence department under the Modi government is doing with the finances allocated to the army.
Others replied to the Indian Army’s tweet, saying that they should take a closer look at the problems that the article says stands to affect them, and do something to counter them, instead of requesting the media organisation to comply with its “request” for an explanation.
And some more.
(With inputs from India Today)
(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to TheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit send)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)