MoD spokesperson removed after tweet triggers outrage

NEW DELHI: The government appointed Col Aman Anand as acting spokesperson of the ministry of defence and sent principal spokesperson Swaranashree Rao Rajashekar on leave on Friday after her tweet triggered strong reactions. The tweet, from the ministry's official Twitter handle, appeared to criticise former Navy chief Admiral Arun Prakash.

"Col. Aman Anand took over as the acting official spokesperson of MoD as the spokesperson proceeds on leave," the defence ministry said in a tweet.

It all started after Admiral Prakash retweeted a photograph showing a military flag on the bonnet of an official car of the internal financial adviser to the Army's Western Command. Commenting on the photograph, Admiral Prakash said, "Even if misuse of an Army command's insignia by a civilian is not a cognisable offence, the person needs to be reprimanded by the GOC-in-C whose ‘financial adviser' he is."



In response, using MoD's official Twitter handle, Rajashekar said, "What about misuse of jawans in your residence during an officer's tenure sir? And how about children being picked up and dropped to school in Fauji (military) gaadis (vehicles)? Not to forget Madam's shopping expedition on government vehicles. And endless parties… who pays for that?"

Usually, officers of the Indian Information Service are appointed as principal spokespersons of the defence ministry. Rajashekar was an exception to the tradition. Sources said Rajashekar tweeted against Admiral Prakash's post because it targeted her former colleague from IDAS. The indiscretion, however, made her position untenable and she was directed to go on leave, sources said.

The offensive tweet led to a furore on social media and came in for considerable criticism from military veterans and well as the civil society. The post was subsequently deleted and an apology issued, along with an explanation that it was "inadvertently done". However, the government stepped into damage control soon after and appointed Col Anand as interim spokesperson until a formal appointment is made.

Admiral Prakash, a 72-year-old decorated war hero who served as Navy chief between July 2004 and October 2006, later called for "sober reflection on the state of civil-military relationship". He tweeted: "Rather than getting excited over indiscreet tweet of @SpokespersonMoD I would suggest sober reflection; (a) by MoD on state of civil-mil relations & (b) by Military Leadership on the aspersions cast by MoD (IDAS?) civil-servant on personal conduct of service officers."

The incident, however, drew flak from several quarters. Retired Maj Gen Harsha Kakar tweeted, "Is this inadvertent. It shows the true colours of your MoD Madam. You are meant to protect the military, not insult it. Keeping this spokesperson is an insult to India, its armed forces and their sacrifices. It shows no respect for senior veterans. Your spokesperson is a disaster."

Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Manmohan Bahadur called Rajashekar's tweet "shameful". BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar demanded an inquiry. "Dear @DefenceMinIndia @DrSubhashMoS — who is this ‘Defence spokesperson' who reprsnts MoD ie govt n talks like this. This is unacceptable conduct n I wud rqst an enquiry into this. This is unconscionable, disrespectful n arrogance tht behooves a response. @PMOIndia (sic)," he tweeted.