New Delhi: In the historic relic of a chopper, newly graduated Captain Bharat Bhardwaj made a million hearts melt as he got down on one knee and popped the question to his partner. Not everyone was happy for them. The Indian Army has taken cognisance of the incident and as per reports, he may face disciplinary action.
Ever since the video of Bhardwaj has gone viral from the Combat Army Aviation Training School (CATS) in Nashik, social media timelines are overflowing with basically two kinds of messages for the happy couple: shame on you, and congratulations! Contrary to what one might assume, Bhardwaj was supported by many men in uniform—they defended his right to enjoy a human moment with his partner. Those miffed by the whole thing complained that the military institute is hardly the place for such personal events. Bhardwaj was also called out for “disrespecting” the country’s honour by openly professing love for his partner.
“What Capt. Bhardwaj did was not an act of indiscipline that threatens the integrity of the armed forces. It was a spontaneous and deeply human moment after one of the proudest achievements of his life,” one user wrote on X. Another replied to an angry tweet bashing the Army officer: “Sir, a young officer expressing love for his fiancée does not diminish his love for the nation.”
Internet’s verdicts
The outrage directed at Bhardwaj mirrored the criticism cricketer Virat Kohli has faced for years whenever his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, appeared at his matches. Many users were seen calling Bhardwaj a “simp” for kneeling down in front of a woman. One user even expressed concern over how the Pakistani military would take the news if they saw how “weak” the Indian soldier is. Many warned, “She will cheat.”
Commenting on the issue, one user wrote, “This has less to do with security and more to do with jealousy and negativity. Capt. Bharat Bhardwaj’s only “mistake” seems to be expressing his happiness publicly. Some people simply cannot tolerate seeing others happy.”
Many who openly showed support for the young couple called out ‘boomers’ for choosing to be bitter about something that should make them happy. “Expired Indian boomers have mastered the fine art of seething and complaining; they can spot happiness from a mile away and treat it like a personal affront!”
Soon after the proposal video went viral, many started noticing the chopper in the background. “Funny how there’s more outrage about the proposal than those 60-year-old pieces of junk in the background they call helicopters,” wrote an Instagram user, adding that the Army should get rid of the Chetak and Cheetah.
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An unlikely internet heartthrob
Many young people saw hope in Bhardwaj’s video. They praised him for his guts to be able to pull something like this. “Where are my army men,” wrote one woman in the comment section of the video. Another wrote, “At this point, I am convinced god has his favourites.” In stickers, emojis and gifs, many expressed how touched they were by the Captain’s gesture.
Bhardwaj asked his partner to marry him right after the Passing Out Parade, a ceremony to mark the successful completion of training for cadets, at the Naashik institute. It was the way he decided to celebrate the important milestone. A few on the internet seemed confused about what the ceremony was actually about. “Passing out parade?? Who passed out?” one of them wrote.