How the Indian Army handles religion and uniform: Lt General D. S. Hooda explains

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Lt General D.S. Hooda, former Northern Army Commander, talks about how personal faith and professional duty should work inside the Indian Army. He explains why trust between officers and soldiers is the foundation of military life, and why the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on faith in uniform reinforces long-standing Army principles. Gen. Hooda discusses the role of multi-faith spaces in units, how the Army protects its secular ethos, and why rising social polarisation makes these values even more important today. He shares experiences from his service, examples of leadership in diverse regiments, and clear views on why personal belief must never affect military discipline. Highlights: -Why the Supreme Court ruling matters for faith and discipline in uniform -How multi-faith traditions help hold the Army together -Why officers must avoid visible displays of religiosity in uniform -How trust and secular values shape leadership in diverse units -What steps are needed to preserve the Army’s neutrality and professionalism Perfect for viewers interested in: -Indian Army culture and leadership -Faith, secularism and discipline in the armed forces -Civil–military relations and national security -The role of values and ethos in military institutions Credits: Host: Ashutosh Sharma Camera: Vedaant Lakhera and Vitasta Kaul Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Originally published on December 12, 2025 Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295