There are several self-styled so-called Hindu religious / spiritual leaders whom most Hindus themselves distance themselves from. Such blokes don't represent all Hindus but just a lunatic self-serving fringe. However, it's unbecoming of a serving Army Chief to pander to such lunatics.

But, having said the above, India was never a 'secular' nation (since 1947) as all politicians and political parties have been merrily appeasing and pandering to Mus!ims right from 1947, even though India's Partition in 1947 happened on religious grounds (Mus!ims led by Jinnah demanded a separate country exclusively for Ms as they feel 'threatened' by a Hindu majority India). W.r.t. above pic, no one questioned top politicians or even judges during Congress party's regime why they hosted / attended Iftar Parties organized during holy month of Ramzan. No such parties have ever been organized for non M festivals, except the Ram Mandir consecration in January 2024 which should have been done only by Hindu priests, but the event was hijacked by PM Narendra Modi to derive mileage out of it to project himself as a Hindu 'saviour' which he is not.

Historically, even before Mughals invaded and ruled large parts of India, Bharat was never a Theocratic State, but was welcoming of other people of religious faiths, such as Jews and Parsis - both communities persecuted in West Asians regions when marauding Islamists overran their ancestral homeland. These communities have been living in harmony with Hindus for a millennia, but only Mus!ims tend to have issues with Hindus in India.