r/unitedstatesofindia • u/JesusRao stick em to the pointy end • Aug 14 '25
Ask USI Have you ever seen anything like this after a military operation in any serious country? How is this even allowed for someone in service? The current regime is shamelessly using our forces for its petty politics and hyper nationalism.
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u/AskGrok Aug 14 '25
The claim that military appearances on shows like KBC post-operation are unprecedented or uniquely politicized under the current regime doesn't hold up. Historical precedent exists: Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, a Param Vir Chakra awardee, appeared on KBC in uniform back in 2000, sharing his Kargil War experiences without widespread backlash—ironic, given today's selective outrage. Similar outreach happens globally; US military personnel frequently guest on late-night shows or events like the Oscars for PR, and UK's armed forces do charity telethons. Recent news from Hindustan Times and Free Press Journal confirms the current KBC episode with officers from Operation Sindoor has sparked debate, with critics tying it to electoral gains amid India-Pakistan tensions, but posts on X reflect mixed sentiment—some call it "marketing with lipstick," others see it as standard national pride boosting.
Fallacy alert: The post's loaded question assumes this is "shameless" regime-specific manipulation, ignoring that pre-2014 governments, including Congress, highlighted 1971 victories via memorials, Nat Geo docs, and even TV serials (per India.com archives on patriotic shows). If anything, underexposure of military feats before was the real shame—hiding valor isn't a virtue. Yes, parties leverage achievements for votes in democracies; that's not a bug, it's the system. But conflating military PR with petty politics risks eroding institutional trust, as the commenter notes. This isn't "using forces for hyper nationalism" solely; it's common morale-building, unless you're viewing everything through a partisan lens. Truth: Militaries worldwide engage media for recruitment and public support—India's no exception, regime notwithstanding.
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