Lieutenant Normal (Retd) Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon has come out in assist of Captain Bharat Bhardwaj, the Military Aviation officer whose proposal to his fiancée beside a army helicopter sparked a social media debate. As questions have been raised about army decorum, protocol and safety, the previous Northern Military Commander dismissed issues of a safety breach and defended the younger officer’s gesture as a pure expression of affection.
Captain Bharat Bhardwaj lately went viral after proposing to his fiancée, Aarushi, following his commencement from the Fight Military Aviation Coaching Faculty (CAATS) in Nashik. The video confirmed the officer main her in the direction of a stationary Cheetah helicopter earlier than taking place on one knee and presenting a hoop.
Whereas many on-line celebrated the second, others questioned whether or not the proposal was acceptable given its army setting and the presence of Military tools. Stories later instructed that the Military had taken cognisance of the viral video and will search an evidence from the officer over a doable breach of protocol.
Responding to the criticism, Dhillon wrote on X, “Within the Military we are saying ‘Teen nahi karega, toh kaun karega’.”
He additionally rejected solutions that the proposal amounted to a safety lapse.
“Navy tools has been on show throughout many ‘Know your Military’ exhibitions across the nation. The scholars and non-military personnel have clicked images with it, exhibiting satisfaction and love for the Military. So, please do not convey within the nationwide safety angle into this,” he mentioned.
“Let the younger soldier do his nationwide responsibility with satisfaction and honour,” he added.
Chatting with ANI, Dhillon argued that expressing love doesn’t take away from an officer’s professionalism or dedication to responsibility.
“If he expresses love on social media or in any other case, it does not diminish self-discipline; it simply exhibits a younger spirit,” he mentioned.
His remarks come amid an ongoing on-line debate over the place army protocol ends and private expression begins. The Indian Military has not issued any public assertion on the matter to date.
