Ex-Serviceman Who Committed Suicide Is No Martyr, Says Haryana CM, Congress Calls It An Insult

Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has invited criticism from both the opposition and ex-servicemen for saying that Ram Kishan Grewal would not be seen as a martyr.

BCCL

"Shaheeds are only those who lay down their lives in battle at the border, not ex-servicemen who commit suicide," Khattar said on the sidelines of a function organized to celebrate the golden jubilee of Haryana's foundation at Panchkula.

The chief minister went on to say that Grewal had committed suicide because of per sonal reasons and that implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP) was an achievement of the BJP government.

Calling it an insult to the dead soldier and the country , Congress leaders said Khattar should withdraw his statement. "Khattar's mocking, distasteful remarks on Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal's death show that arrogance of power has blinded the truth," tweeted Randeep Singh Surjewala, in-charge, communications wing of All India Congress Committee.

BCCL

Brig Kiran Krishen (retd) said, "The chief minister is an educated person and a patriot but you don't have to be killed in action to be called a martyr.Even those who are committed to a people's cause and give their life for it are called martyrs.Grewal was committed to OROP and killed himself because he felt that the government was not keeping its word.There should be no doubt about his martyrdom."

Terming the politicization of the issue as unfortunate and condemnable, Khattar said, "A brave soldier never commits suicide. There may be some reasons at home leading to his suicide... We have to consider why he committed suicide."

"...the Congress had kept it (OROP) pending for years. Our Prime Minister implemented it soon after assuming the power. Around Rs 5,500 crore out of a budget of Rs 9,000 crore have been distributed. This way , there was an environment of stability for OROP . It has been said that there was a minor discrepancy in his (Grewal's) account because of a mistake by the bank," he added.

BCCL

State health minister Anil Vij said: "One sainik has committed suicide. His issue may be genuine but committing suicide cannot be termed appropriate... There are many more ways of agitating. Suicide se bhi koi shaheed ho jata hai. Ye bhi sochane aur vicharane ka issue hai (We need to ponder over whether martyrdom can be achieved by committing suicide)," Vij added.

However, Congress reacted sharply over the comments of chief minister and health minister. "Modiji has unleashed the full might of General V K Singh, M L Khattar, Anil Vij & Co to tarnish the memory of Subedar Ramkishan. Utterly deplorable," Surjewala tweeted.