Indian Navy is 'totally secular', says Admiral R K Dhowan

Navy Day celebrated to mark the success of Operation Trident in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war

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Speaking on the occasion of Navy Day, Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan said the Indian Navy was “totally secular”. Amid a raging debate over rising intolerance in the country, Dhowan told reporters that the navy maintained the spirit of secularism.

A Zee News report quoted Dhowan as saying: “I would like to talk about it in the Navy.... The navy is a microcosm of India.

“We have personnel from every state, every religion. Therefore, Navy is totally secular in nature and it starts from our individual and smallest unit. That trend and that feeling, and that spirit is maintained in the Navy,” he added.

The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on December 4 every year to mark the success of Operation Trident in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. The operation had resulted in sinking of a Pakistani naval destroyer and minesweeper, when the Indian Navy had attacked the Pakistan Naval Headquarters (PNHQ) in Karachi. Another Pakistani destroyer was severely damaged in the operation and eventually scrapped as a result.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Navy personnel on the occasion. He tweeted: “India is proud of a strong & valiant Navy that has always risen to the occasion to protect our Nation. Navy Day greetings to Navy personnel.”