ISLAMABAD: Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Western Command, has reportedly characterised India’s Operation Sindoor against Pakistan as a religiously justified conflict, describing it as a Dharmayudh.
The remarks have drawn attention for introducing religious language into official discourse surrounding a military operation conducted amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
According to media reports, General Katiyar made the comments while reflecting on the objectives and conduct of Operation Sindoor, which India has maintained was a targeted counter-terrorism response. He reportedly suggested that the operation aligned with ethical principles associated with Dharmayudh, rooted in ancient Indian traditions that define a just and morally bound war.
The general is widely viewed as a potential contender for the post of India’s next Chief of Army Staff.
Operation Sindoor was launched following the Pahalgam attack, in which Hindu tourists were killed. New Delhi without evidence accused Pakistan of backing cross-border militant groups, allegations Islamabad has firmly rejected.
Indian authorities stated that the operation focused on sites allegedly linked to organisations such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, stressing that civilian and formal military infrastructure was not targeted in the initial phase.
Despite these assertions, the situation escalated over several days. Both sides reported exchanges of fire, drone activity, and missile strikes on military positions. Claims of damage and casualties varied, and an eventual ceasefire was said to have been facilitated through international diplomatic engagement.
General Katiyar’s reference to Dharmayudh underscores a narrative that frames the operation through a lens of religious and cultural righteousness. This interpretation is reinforced by the name “Sindoor,” which carries symbolic significance in Hindu culture, further embedding religious imagery into the military action.
Critics argue that invoking Dharmayudh in relation to modern warfare risks fuelling communal polarisation and complicating de-escalation efforts in a region already marked by deep historical and religious sensitivities. Pakistani officials have cited such rhetoric as evidence of aggressive intent, while India continues to defend its actions as measured and defensive.
Analysts note that since the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in 2014, Hindu mythology and symbolism have increasingly shaped official narratives, including within the armed forces. From ceremonial practices to the naming of operations, the language of Dharmayudh reflects a broader political project aimed at redefining national identity and “decolonising” institutions. As regional tensions persist, the framing of military actions as Dharmayudh continues to attract both domestic support and international scrutiny.
It is to be remembered that despite Indian claims of targeting terror outfits, more than 50 civilians including children were martyred in Indian airstrikes and cross border fire.