"Without OROP Govt will Not Last Full Term": Infuriated Military Veterans

NEW DELHI: Ex-Servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi for two months were expecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a positive announcement on One Rank One Pension. Instead all they got was yet another set of promises, and literally brickbats. This has led to an escalation of the protest wherein ex-servicemen have decided to boycott all government functions, including those felicitating ex or serving servicemen.

In a first manifestation of the decision to boycott government functions Colonel (Retd) Devinder Sehrawat wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee stating:

No one was more surprised than the military veterans when the Delhi Police swooped in on them, forced them to bring down their banners, their makeshift stage and treat them as many an ordinary protester in the country has been treated before. The humiliation re-ignited the anger, that the ex-servicemen even more determined than before shared with The Citizen later in the day.

Ram Kumar, General Secretary, National Ex-Servicemen Co-ordination Committee, was amongst the first to return to the site after the protest was allowed to resume. "On whose orders they manhandled us, respected citizens of the country, and on whose orders then they stopped?" he e fumed. "7 Racecourse is not far away from here, doesnt he know what's happening here?" he said referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was clearly being blamed directly for the insult and the humiliation of being evicted by the police from the protest site.

Retired Lt. Col. Dilbagh Singh Dabas recounted the early morning police misbehaviour, "they started on us without any warning. They threw the chairs away and manhandled a few of us." When asked how then they had again been allowed to continue, he said this was only after they had called the Police Commissioner and Union Home Ministry officials to protest.

(Lt. Col. Dilbagh Singh Dabas)

Major General Satbir Singh (retired) who is leading the protest under the banner Indian Ex-servicemen Movement (IESM) voiced the deep anger palpable amongst all protesters, more so after PM Modi's Independence Day speech. He pointed out that the government had accepted OROP in principle earlier in the year but was not announcing a specific date. He made it clear that the veterans would boycott all government functions, even if these were to ex or serving soldiers.

The anger after the police 'attack' is not going to die down easily. More so as again the Prime MInister has been able to give a date for the implementation of OROP. "Dont we know that they were carrying empty guns? We very well know how to snatch their guns and turn those against them, but we didn't want to cause any disrespect to them. We are peaceful protesters," said Kumar who was visibly agitated.

On being asked why the incumbent Prime Minister is not hastening the process, Kumar said," he is being misguided by his lieutenants, especially (Finance Minister) Arun Jaitley, in not implementing it. Our PM compares himself to (US President) Obama but does't care about the armed forces like Obama does... if he carries on with the same attitude his government won't even last its full term."

(Major General Satbir Singh)

One of the letters being circulated by ex-servicemen, written by them as well reads:

“Dear Pradhan Sewakji ( I am sure you will read this mail)

Jai Hind and Jai Bharat

1. I heard your speech today. It lacked the fire, enthusiasm and the conviction of the last year. You did not exhibit the "Josh" that you had on 15 August 2014. Reason, I suppose is that you have not been able to fulfil most of your promises to the nation. One such promise is the implementation of OROP. Your promise under the flag today, has no meaning, because you do not have guts to over rule you two ministers who are against the OROP and of course the bureaucrats.

2. Yesterday, Delhi Police which works under your authority, not only thrashed the old veterans but they also insulted the Nation by calling them Security Threat to your independence day celebrations. I wonder, if you know that the role played by the Armed Forces in getting independence from the British, is many times more than any of the Civil Disobedience Movements. The current impasse in implementing OROP is affecting the morale of serving soldiers as well. If your chiefs are telling you differently, they are just pleasing you. The armed forces are not like corporates. Veterans and serving soldiers maintain relationship like family. These veterans who are at Jantar Mantar are like their fathers/grand fathers and no one would like to see their honest ancestors being thrashed by the police. In fact, open letter to the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces by the ex Chiefs hints at this.

3. According to my assessment you have lost credibility to Businessmen, Farmers, Soldiers, ex soldiers---- most significantly to Jawans and Kisans . We lost 62 War , not because of soldiers but because of the attitude of then Pradhan Sewak. Today I suppose it is your turn. If there is a war today, and India will suffer, the responsibility will be yours. Please take charge, over rule your Finance Minister and Defence Minister. Do not insult the veterans.

With warm Regards and respect
One of your well wishers.”