OROP WAR : SIT Report - Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM

152 day at JM was full of activities. Day started with welcoming incoming protesters and thanking outgoing protesters observing RHS. Messages were received from MOD and Govt to discontinue the agitation at JM as this has become a thorn in their crown. Sainik Parliament at JM gave standard replies to all the messengers and messages to withdraw the faulty notification issued on 7 Nov 15 and issue fresh notification for OROP after clearing objections of JM. More than 1000 ESM had come to JM in support of OROP.

 

Sh Arivind Kejriwal visited JM around 4 PM to extend support to our struggle of OROP. He and his entourage was welcomed at JM as he had come to support the agitation for full OROP as approved by Parliament. He sat their for 30 Min and Gen Satbir explained the shortcomings of the notification. He expressed his disappointment on the attitude of Govt which came to power on promise of good governance and promise of OROP and garnered ESM votes. The promise of OROP, war memorial and veterans' commission have remained pipe dreams and are nowhere near implementation. Sh Kejriwal expressed surprise that Govt had worked on only one promise and that too had not delivered as per approved definition. He was explained that JM had decided to not to give mike to any politician. He appreciated this principle  and expressed his solidarity with soldiers. He was not given the mike. He briefed press at the time of leaving from JM.

 

Action moved to India Gate at Amar Jawan Jyoti. Veterans moved to India Gate. Gen Satbir also moved to India Gate and addressed the assembled veterans and civilians in a open jeep. The intention was very clear to send a message to all citizen that the Govt is treating its veterans as stepchild of country and next will be their turn. How will a leader, who cannot fulfill his promise made to Armed Forces, fulfill aspirations of citizens?

 

IESM GB had a meeting with Sh Ram Jethamalani at 6PM. He once again assured that he will take up our case in SC. He asked for relevant notification and other papers to study and devise a correct course of action. 

 

Government is now coming out with bizarre accusation against leaders at JM. New accusation is that leaders are under influence of Khalistani forces and enemy might take advantage of the situation. Government has thus ordered to close the agitation at JM. The JM has asked a counter question to Government that if they think that the agitation at JM is a security risk then why are they hesitant in discussing and why are they not explaining the arithmatic of OROP and NFU to agitators and nation? JM is also asking Government that why are they not making it clear that Rs 8000 to 10000/ crore is for one year or for two years as it has not been made clear at any stage. This only means that only Rs 4000/ crores have been allotted for one year and that is no where near OROP as defined by MOD and Raksha Mantri. It is obvious that there are two lobbies in the Govt, one for OROP and second for NO OROP (heavily diluted OROP). It is evident that anti OROP lobby has upper hand. 

 

It is for information of veteran family that leaders at JM (Maj Gen Satbir Singh, Gp Capt VK Gandhi, Wg Cdr CK Sharma, Col Anil Kaul and Lt K Pandey) are being trailed and their telephones are taped. Their life could be at danger for spearheading the agitation for OROP. IESM has already written to Commissioner Police Delhi about the threat to their life and told him that it is the duty of the Government to protect these leaders. 

 

Dear Veterans only one day is left for the grand rally at Ambala. Rally at Ambala is planned for Sunday 15 Nov 15. This rally is planned to communicate to Government that Ex-servicemen across the country is very annoyed with Government for not granting full OROP as approved by Parliament. You are all requested to attend the rally at Ambala in large numbers to send the strong message to Government. 

 

At the end I can say that 152nd day JM had been very fruitful and all activities were covered by print and TV media in detail.


Regards

Gp Capt VK Gandhi VSM