British Army uses anti-imperialist opponent Gandhi to recruit youngsters

THE BRITISH ARMY has come under fire for running a recruiting advertisement for its youth wing that brazenly uses a quote from Mahatma Gandhi ­– the world-famous anti-war activist and leader of the independence movement in India against British imperialism and the British Army.

The Army Cadet Force is “sponsored and supported” by the Ministry of Defence. It has 41,000 cadets enlisted aged between 12 and 18 and 9,500 adults in over 1,600 locations who receive weapons training.

“Some of our activities have a military theme,” it says on its website. It adds that “there is no obligation on cadets to join the armed forces” but recruits are obviously encouraged in that direction.

The Twitter ad that has provoked anger shows two figures in British Army combat uniforms is to enlist adult leaders to train its junior wing under the quote:

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others ­– Mahatma Gandhi.”

Critics, including the Peace Pledge Union, have called on the Ministry of Defence to take it down as inappropriate.

One tweeter said:

“Gandhi stood up to the British Establishment and army, a man of peace. Your use of his words are inappropriate.”

Another responded:

“@ArmyCadetsUK shows contempt for freedom fighters in India and elsewhere. Show some respect and take this down now.”

At the time of writing, the ad has not been removed.

● Mahatma Gandhi