Modi’s Diwali Visits to Army Camps: Patriotism or Political Gains?

Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has celebrated Diwali with Indian Army personnel across various locations. These visits are widely covered by the media, and while they symbolize support for the armed forces, they have also sparked discussions about their political undertones.

Patriotism or Political Gain?

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Modi’s visits undeniably boost the morale of soldiers stationed at remote locations, but some argue that these visits serve a dual purpose—political optics. The timing and the media coverage of these visits often coincides with politically sensitive periods, raising questions about the intent behind them.

Modi’s Diwali Visits to Army Camps (2014-2023)

Year	Location	Key Highlights
2014	Siachen	First Diwali with soldiers as PM, visited the highest battlefield in the world.
2015	Punjab Border	Met BSF soldiers at a sensitive location near the Pakistan border.
2016	Himachal Pradesh	Spent Diwali with soldiers near the Chinese border.
2017	Gurez Sector	Visited troops near the Line of Control in J&K.
2018	Harsil	Met ITBP personnel near the China border.
2019	Rajouri	Interacted with soldiers after the abrogation of Article 370.
2020	Longewala	Marked Diwali at the iconic 1971 battlefield.
2021	Nowshera	Lauded soldiers’ role in counter-insurgency operations.
2022	Kargil	Paid homage to soldiers at Kargil, site of the 1999 conflict.
2023	Arunachal Pradesh	Celebrated Diwali with soldiers near the China border.

Symbolism or Substance? The images of Modi sharing sweets with soldiers invoke patriotism, but critics question whether these gestures lead to substantive improvements for the military. While morale-boosting gestures are important, addressing issues like equipment, pensions, and welfare should be prioritized.

Military as a Political Tool? Politicians associating with the armed forces raises concerns about the neutrality of the military. Critics argue that these visits blur the lines between politics and military service, especially when strategically timed around elections or policy changes.

Respect in Action, Not Optics: True support for the military should extend beyond symbolic gestures. Addressing the real needs of soldiers, such as their living conditions and ensuring veterans receive proper care, is the ultimate form of respect.