While the whole nation was praying for the well-being of Late Shri Bipin Rawat Ji, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces, a part of the country was over-enthusiastic to send 1.4 billion people into a frenzy. Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag also went into irresponsible haste to become a news bulletin on his own.
Media reports of the crash emerged in the afternoon
On Wednesday, 8 December 2021, various media reports started to emerge in the public domain claiming that a forces’ special Mi-17 V5 helicopter had crashed in the Conoor district of Tamil Nadu. The helicopter was carrying Gen. Bipin Rawat along with his wife, defence assistant, security commandos, and an IAF pilot.
The first report in the media emerged around 12:20 PM. Though reports of various people dying in the crash were there, it was getting tough to ascertain whether Shri Bipin Rawat was one of the unfortunates to have lost his life. No official bulletin had confirmed it even till late in the evening.
Panag announced Shri Rawat’s death long before official confirmation
However, Lt. Gen. H.S. Panag, a retired lieutenant general seemed to be in more hurry than any of India’s TRP hungry news Indian news portals. At 2:52 PM, he made an irresponsible tweet claiming that General Rawat had died in the luckless crash. Up until then, no news portal had reported his death. Moreover, official handles of the Indian defence ministry and any of the three major Armed forces had not passed a single statement regarding the health of Shri Rawat Ji.
Lt General H S Panag(R) of Indian Army confirms the passing away of CDS General Bipin Rawat pic.twitter.com/hOyRh7QavK
— Pakistan Strategic Forum (@ForumStrategic) December 8, 2021
Irresponsible tweet was slammed from all corners
The irresponsible tweet from Panag came off as a shock for everyone concerned with the health of the nation’s security.
TFI Media founder Atul Mishra ascertained that Panag must be knowing something about the crash which others are oblivious of.
Panag announced CDS Rawat's death 38 mins ago. There hasn't been any official word yet and Rajnath Singh is still to make any announcement.
Why would Panag be so sure unless he knows something, others don't!!
— Atul Kumar Mishra (@TheAtulMishra) December 8, 2021
Shashank Shekhar Jha, a Supreme Court lawyer demanded an investigation into Panag’s 3-hours early confirmation of the sad demise of CDS Bipin Rawat.
3 hours before his death? 3 hours!
Must be investigated!!!
— Shashank Shekhar Jha (@shashank_ssj) December 8, 2021
Braj Mohan Singh, an editor in News18 asked Panag to behave courteously and not succumb to populism.
Have some basic courtesy sir! Can't you wait for official confirmation?
— Braj Mohan Singh (@brajjourno) December 8, 2021
Another user Sharad Joshi pointed out that a martyr’s kins are the first ones who are given the news of a soldier’s demise. He slammed Panag for his irresponsible behaviour.
How come u declare it even b4 govt announcement. Having served 4 decades you ought to b aware that it's NEXT OF KIN who have the right to be informed first. To u spreading the news with FASTEST FINGER FIRST SYNDROME might be exciting for someone it might b life altering taragedy
— SHARAD JOSHI (@sharad_joe) December 8, 2021
While Sri Rawat was known for his upright attitude and maryadit behavior, Panag has been a controversial figure. In October 2017, he was slammed for spreading fake images about the Indian government disrespecting martyrs. In 2019, he was in news for suggesting that a coup is a good option for the army.
The Great Divider of India is Now Dividing its Armed Forces https://t.co/JJbd4DMbS2
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) May 13, 2019
In spite of serving the army, he is well known for his political bias. No one can decipher the exact reason behind the hurried tweet, but Panag’s recent history does not provide any evidence of him being a decorated army officer.