Pune, May 12 – Former Indian Army chief General Manoj Naravane has strongly criticized the glorification of war and the public discourse questioning the recent ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan. Speaking at an event in Pune on Sunday, General Naravane stressed that war is not a cinematic spectacle but a deeply traumatic and last-resort decision.
“War is Not a Bollywood Movie”: General Naravane
Addressing a gathering at a programme organised by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Naravane said, “War is not romantic. It is not your Bollywood movie. It is very serious business.” He emphasized that while the military is always prepared to act if ordered, his personal preference remains diplomacy and peaceful resolution.“Still, people are asking why we have not gone for a full-out war. As a military man, if ordered, I will go to war, but that will not be my first choice,” he reiterated.
Trauma in Border Areas and Long-term Impact
Drawing attention to the psychological impact of conflict, Naravane highlighted the trauma experienced by residents of border areas. “Children who have seen shelling and have to run to shelters at night carry that trauma. There’s something called PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). People who have seen gruesome scenes wake up sweating even after 20 years and need psychiatric care,” he said.He pointed out that the long-term emotional scars of war extend beyond the battlefield and affect generations of civilians.
Diplomacy as the Preferred Path
Echoing the sentiments of India’s leadership, General Naravane supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “this is not an era of war.” He stressed that dialogue and diplomacy should be the primary tools for resolving disputes.“We are all equal stakeholders in national security. We should try to resolve differences not only between countries, but amongst ourselves, whether in families or between states, regions and communities. Violence is not the answer,” he said.
Context: Operation Sindoor and Ceasefire Understanding
Naravane’s remarks come shortly after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting seven terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Following the operation, India and Pakistan announced an understanding to cease all hostilities on land, air, and sea.His comments serve as a sobering reminder of the real costs of conflict at a time when public sentiment may be swayed by emotions and media portrayals.
