5 ex-armed forces chiefs write to Prez, PM Modi on Haridwar hate speech, 'open call of genocide of Indian Muslims'

The letter also mentions targeting of other minorities like Christians, Dalits, and Sikhs.

"Any breach of peace and harmony within the nation will embolden inimical external forces. The unity and cohesiveness of our men and women in uniform, including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Police Forces, will be seriously affected by allowing such blatant calls for violence against one or the other community in our diverse and plural society," it said.

In a reference to the "Dharma Sansad" in Haridwar where direct calls for violence against Muslims were made, the letter said, "We are seriously perturbed by the content of speeches made during a 3-day religious conclave called a Dharma Sansad, of Hindu Sadhus and other leaders, held at Haridwar between 17-19 December 2021."

"There were repeated calls for establishing a Hindu Rashtra and, if required, picking up weapons and killing of India's Muslims in the name of protecting Hinduism," it said.

The letter also mentions an event in Delhi when a large number of people gathered in Delhi and publicly took an oath resolving to make India a Hindu nation.

"We cannot allow such incitement to violence together with public expressions of hate - which not only constitute serious breaches of internal security but which could also tear apart the social fabric of our nation. One speaker made a call to the army and police to pick up weapons and participate in the cleanliness drive (safai abhiyan). This amounts to asking the army to participate in the genocide of our own citizens, and is condemnable and unacceptable," it added.