A newly commissioned Army officer’s grand marriage proposal has split the internet after he went down on one knee in front of a military helicopter during his passing out parade. While the romantic gesture triggered a fierce online debate over military decorum, retired Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey stepped in with a social media post to throw his full support behind Captain Bharat Bhardwaj and his fiancée.
While responding to an X post about the matter, retired Lt Gen Pandey wrote, “Army Captain proposed to fiance. Too much smoke without any fire. Remember those who take bold steps will cross lines in war.”
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Citing his reasons for supporting the army pilot who proposed to his partner on the tarmac at the Combat Army Aviation Training School near Nashik, the army veteran explained, “No national security got lost,” “It was a tea break. Not parade. Parade was over. Everyone is cleared to take pictures,” “Officer in uniform looking smart, lady is so elegantly dressed. Nothing wrong there,” and “He crossed a line maybe. And he is aware of the consequences. As a good soldier, he will take it.”
According to reports, the Army has taken cognisance of the incident and may seek an explanation from the officer.
The retired Lt Gen continued, “If he will not take risk, bold steps, cross lines, who will and when. A romantic will love his country, wife, mother, sister, friends and will show.”
He advised people slamming the army man to focus on more pressing issues. The veteran concluded his tweet by posting, “Capt Bhardwaj and Fiance, get married, stay married, have a great life of adventure and fulfillment, and love Bharat and Army always. With great wishes.”
Captain Bharat Bhardwaj opens up:
Speaking to the media, Captain Bharat Bhardwaj, at the centre of the controversy, said he had known his partner for 5 years and that he believed it was the perfect moment to take the next step in their relationship.
“We have all become pilots, instructors today. It was a big day for all of us. Our hard work yielded fruit today. Both of us have known each other for the past five years. I don’t think that there is any better day than this to propose marriage to her. This is a big day for my family, too. I wanted to make this day memorable for my fiancée too. That was the whole idea,” Captain Bhardwaj told ANI.
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