PRESS RELEASE (OROP)
AS AT 1800 HRS 13 Dec, 2015
JANTAR MANTAR, NEW DELHI
Breaking News
1. Once again, a sea of humanity at Jantar Mantar at today’s Sainik Aakrosh Rally.
2. Arun Jaitley’s statement at the eleventh hour spoils reconciliatory mood of the veterans.
3. Veterans openly announce vote against BJP and isolate Jaitley.
REPORT ON RALLY
1. Sainik Aakrosh Rally at Jantar Mantar today was an astounding, resounding and thumping success.
2. In some quarters, it was misunderstood that this Sainik Aakrosh Rally was meant to express our anger at OROP not being granted as per Koshiary committee report. In fact, it was to express veterans’ accumulated anger of the last 68 year for being degraded, downgraded and maltreated in the garb of democracy. Honorable first prime minister of independent India did not want army and wanted to be apostle of peace in the world. He went ahead even to reduce its strength. This caused us a humiliating defeat in 1962 and which will remain a permanent depressing blot on the nation psych.
3. Honorable fourth prime minister of India and the daughter of first prime minister snatched away our one rank one pension in 1973 when defense forces in 1971 gave the country one of the most brilliant victory in the annals of military history. Perhaps fear of the field marshal hounded her political ambition. Thereafter every pay commission brought down the status of defense forces with the most cruel stroke coming with the seventh pay commission recently.
4. OROP case has been going on for 42 years and when finally it has been delivered, it is not only lack luster but also without a soul. Adding fuel to fire are the hawkish statements given by politicians as well as bureaucratic condemning veterans as greedy, harbouring political ambitions and so on. This is simply playing with the pride and honour of the veterans and that is what make the veterans feel grievously hurt. Most hurting was the statement made by the honorable present prime minister in Chandigarh that OROP has been granted to the veterans at the cost of poor ( Garibon ka pet katkar sainikon ko OROP diya gaya hai)
5. Despite above provocations veterans of UFESM decided to declare a unilateral ceasefire to call off the agitation for two months to create a congenial atmosphere for the talks. This was also to allow the other group to show their mettle who not only claim to get all the issues resolved but also get JCOs/ORs pension enhanced to 70% and 75% respectively.
6. However, everything turned turtle with the reported immature, politically ill advised and factually incorrect statement of the honorable finance minister that all the veterans are happy with the OROP as sanctioned by the government. Only a fringe or small section is unhappy. We wish he could have been here to see the fringe, which actually was tsunami and flood of veterans at Jantar Mantar.
7. Despite the tempers running very high to immediately resort to some drastic action because of inaction on the part of the government, Gen Satbir was able to moderate and convince the veterans that we give another two to three weeks to government to come to an honorable and amicable settlement.
Today’s Sainik Aakrosh Rally dedicated to the field marshal Maneckshaw-
8. Some of you may not know that Field Marshal Maneckshaw’s daughter stays in Delhi. UFESM volunteers contacted her to grace the rally with her presence. However due to certain unavoidable reasons she expressed her inability/ regretted to attend the rally. At the same time, she was kind enough to handover a fully framed photograph of the Field Marshal, which is very dear to her. This photograph adorned the stage and there was standing ovation when Gen Satbir dedicated the rally to the most brilliant soldier of India and the architect of 1971 victory.
9. Emotionally Maneckshaw daughter also said although field marshal may not be present physically but this photograph should make everyone feel that he is present to express his solidarity with the just cause of the veterans. Throughout his life he talked about soldiers and veterans, therefore it will make him happy sitting in the heaven. We wish some of our surviving senior veterans draw an inspiration from the brave daughter of the Field Marshal and grace Jantar Mantar with their benign presence.
Motorcycle Rally
More than hundred bikers from all over India made a dazzling display of their solidarity with the movement. It included woman bikers also one of which had come from as far away as Pudducherry. There roaring support on the stage was as invigorating and inspiring as the disciplined entry and exit from the venue. We wish them all the success.
OROP Message Rider
Dfr H S Khaira led the motorcycle rally into the venue. He had covered more than five thousand Km along the border of Punjab and Jammu to not only spread the message of OROP but also collect the soil of battlefields where soldiers have shed their blood for the security and honor of the country. Soil was ceremonially handed over to Gen Satbir Singh on the stage. He kneeled down to pay the homage to the soil, which made him and everyone emotional once again.
Participation from 26 states
Mammoth gathering of about 15000-20000 of veterans representing 26 states attended the rally with majority from the northern states. In a referendum, everyone raised hands to approve the continuation of the protest at Jantar Mantar. Some of them were not prepared to even grant them one day of reconciliation suggested for two to three weeks if positive signals do not emanate from the government.
Appointment of Gen V K Singh as
Mediator
Gen V K Singh in a communication made to Gen Satbir
has divulged that, as on 13th Dec 2015 he has not
received any communication from government
appointing him as mediator. Therefore, there is no
progress made on the meeting held in congenial
atmosphere with the defense minister on 1st Dec 2015.
This appears to be an ominous sign on the sincerity of
the government to amicably resolve the issue in the
near future. However, Gen Satbir still sounded positive
about an honorable breakthrough.
Legal Action
Some veterans raised certain apprehensions about the legal actions. It was clarified that One-man commission has yet not been appointed by the government so far therefore no representation can be made legally to one-man commission as on date.
A- Some veterans were apprehensive that if we go to the court matter will become subjudice and the case will linger on for a long period. It was clarified that legal action as and when taken will not be a stay order against the notification issued but it will be against the several anomalies contained in the notification. .
B- Some veterans felt that legal option be exercised immediately. They were convinced when apprised that all the necessary spadework has been done and case will be immediately filed as and when our legal advisor of international fame Mr Ram Jethmalani decides to go ahead and which will not be very far off.
Refusal by Hindustan Times to publish
advertisement
Everyone present became very angry when told that probably on government’s instruction Hindustan times has refused to publish an advertisement regarding OROP. This is not sportsmanship and soldiers / veterans call it hitting below the belt. Power that be may like to answer the propriety of the action to deny a right enshrined and granted in the constitution.
Blockage of media sites
As the rally was coming to an end our social media site got blocked. This has happened earlier also. Is it fair? Mandarins may like to answer
IRE against Finance minister
As brought out earlier there was seething anger against the honourable FM who probably is perceived to be biggest stumbling block presently and in future will also remain the biggest stumbling block for the grant of genuine OROP. Therefore, there is a need to isolate him. BJP may also like to pontificate / ponder seriously over this issue as to how an unelected person holds complete sway can over the elected body. Veterans should not be punished for voting according to their will in a democratic system.
Media coverage
Media covered the event adequately with live broadcast especially NDTV. We are thankful to them for their unstinted support.
Rally to pay homage to the martyrs of independent India
It was told to the gathering that on 16th Dec 2015 UFESM will hold a rally at Vijay Chowk to pay homage to all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives from 1947 till date. Modalities of the event will be intimated later however it will be done in a dignified manner
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