Retired Lt. Gen HS Panag has joined the brigade of supporters behind newly commissioned army pilot Captain Bharat Bhardwaj, saying young officers should not be subjected to excessive scrutiny in personal moments, as controversy continues over the officer’s viral proposal to his partner after the swoon parade in Nashik.
Panag’s intervention adds to a growing list of retired senior military officers who have come to Bhardwaj’s defense after videos of the proposal – shot at the Army Combat Aviation Training School in Maharashtra on Tuesday – sparked a social media storm over issues of military protocol and security.
In a post on X, the former Army officer said he faced similar situations while serving and made conscious efforts to protect young officers from what he described as unnecessarily strict interpretations of regulations.
“I have dealt with many of these issues in service. I have done my best to protect and preserve the dignity and free spirit of our enthusiastic young officers and soldiers,” Panag wrote.
He said he would often review confidential reports issued by junior officers and intervene when commanders higher up the chain took a tougher view of such incidents.
“In the worst case, they issued a general termination letter without mentioning names or the incident,” he added.
Read also | ‘Shab nahi karega, toh kaun’: Veterans defend army chief after proposal raises ‘security’ concerns
Viral proposal sparks controversy
The controversy erupted after videos showed Bhardwaj, dressed in uniform, getting down on one knee on the runway and proposing to his partner with a military helicopter appearing in the background. The proposal came shortly after the military parade held at the Army’s leading aviation training facility.
While the clip received widespread praise online, critics questioned whether the use of a military setting and the subsequent circulation of the images on social media violated established protocols.
The army has taken note of the matter and is expected to request an explanation from the officer. However, sources indicated that while some protocols may have been violated, the incident was unlikely to result in any major disciplinary action.
Read also | Army parade in Nashik ends with Captain getting down on one knee, surprise marriage proposal | He watches
Veterans dismiss security concerns
Panag’s comments reflect the views of many retired officers who rejected allegations that the proposal constitutes a security loophole.
Former Chief of Integrated Defense Staff Lieutenant General (retd) Satish Dua said there was “a lot of toxicity” around the photos and said military equipment was routinely visible to the public during official functions.
Lt. Gen (retd) KJS Dhillon also strongly defended the officer, saying critics were indulging in unnecessary ‘nuctachini’ in what was essentially a personal and emotional moment.
Likewise, retired Lieutenant General DB Pandey argued that the proposal was made after the formalities were over and the concerns raised online were disproportionate to the nature of the incident.
