The Congress and NCP-SP expressed disapproval of the Indian Army’s decision to promote Lieutenant Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, who was acquitted in the 2008 Malegaon blast case, to the rank of Brigadier. This move by the Indian Army has sparked criticism due to the long-standing service dispute related to Colonel Purohit’s career progression and his involvement in the Malegaon blast case.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for overlooking the sentiments of Malegaon blast victims and their families in the promotion of Colonel Purohit. Wadettiwar emphasized that the BJP’s actions seem to prioritize political gains over the concerns of the nation’s citizens.
NCP-SP leader Anil Deshmukh expressed dissatisfaction with Colonel Purohit’s promotion, questioning the decision in light of the allegations against him in the Malegaon blast case. Deshmukh suggested that political influences may have played a role in the promotion process, hinting at Colonel Purohit’s alleged affiliations with a specific political party.
The Indian Army’s decision to promote Colonel Purohit was reportedly influenced by earlier directives from the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), which had halted his retirement and allowed for a reconsideration of his promotion eligibility. This intervention by the tribunal enabled Colonel Purohit to continue his service while his promotion and service benefits were under review.
