Hyderabad, May 31 -- A senior Indian Army official's recent visit to a religious ashram in Madhya Pradesh has stirred public debate over the appropriateness of a serving military officer participating in religious ceremonies while wearing uniform.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi visited the ashram of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in Chitrakoot on May 28, seeking blessings from the spiritual leader.

"I initiated the Army Chief into the Ram Mantra, the same mantra Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka. When the matter of dakshina (offering) came up, I asked for something no teacher has asked before: I want PoK. He accepted my request," Rambhadracharya later told PTI.

This statement comes just wee...