What was going on in Modi's Leh meeting with the soldiers?

The prime minister’s infamous visit to the wounded soldiers at the Leh military hospital has caused a stir of commotion in the minds of the people who saw the videos and photos shared. Many have called it a “Photo-Op” or in simpler terms a setup or an opportunity to heavily photograph a scene which puts the politician in a good light.

Upon further analysis, some prominent and obvious questions can be raised. Why were the soldiers who were wounded in the Galwan Valley conflict be made to sit up in the same posture? Why would a proclaimed medical ward not have any facilities, medical equipment, nurses, and the like? How is a room filled with wounded soldiers so immaculate and almost too clean? Why do the soldiers have no visible injuries and or bandages? All of these very noticeable and almost fascinating aspects point to an easy photo op.

The army did, however, provide some clarifications, they said that this was originally a conference room converted to a ward to treat the non-critical patients of COVID-19 and that the soldiers present in the same had comparatively lighter injuries and were ready for discharge the next day after Modi’s visit. “It is unfortunate that aspersions are being cast on how our brave Armed Forces are treated”, the statement issued by the Army Commander said.

Some critics are still not convinced and doubts are still being tossed around but thankfully most of the soldiers have made full recoveries and are now in a more stable condition.

---

Writer: Agrima Chopra

Image courtesy: Guardian