OROP: protesting veterans attempt to burn medals

“Giving it [medals] back is a disservice to nation”.

After returning the medals yesterday, the ex-servicemen are observed “black Deepavali”.

More than 500 veterans marched from Jantar Mantar to Delhi airport to return their medals. “We have fulfilled the main OROP demand including the Voluntary Retirement Scheme”. But the pensions of those who are receiving a higher pension than average will not be reduced.

“The OROP is not any charity by the government”. Close to 22 lakh ex-servicemen, and over six lakh war widows stand to be the immediate beneficiaries of the scheme.

“Government has not given us the OROP which was assured and the notification issued has seven shortcomings”.

On other demands, the government has, not accepted the wish list of the ex-servicemen. “At best, it is a one-time increment”.

The veterans claimed over 20,000 of them have returned medals since their protest began in 2008 to press for OROP. More than 1,000 medals are expected to be returned in the next couple of days. “We are protesting because we want equal treatment”. The veterans wanted equalisation of pension every year, or at least every two years, but the government has notified that it would happen only once in five years. “It’s plain and simple but we are being taken for a ride”.

Reacting to the protests, defence minister Manohar Parrikar has said that he has already delivered what was expected of him.

“If a few still have any grievances, they can present their case to the Judicial Committee that will be set up”, he said.

“The fact that you are forming a parallel commission while issuing notification means they themselves agree that notification is flawed”, Group Captain V K Gandhi said.

Ex-servicemen, who have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June, have rejected the notification.

He maintained that the major demands of the veterans had been met and that OROP has been finalised.

“As someone who led this issue with the government and Parliament since 2006 and fighting for the welfare of veterans, I appeal to veterans to not to agitate but engage with government”, he said and promised to work for addressing all issues affecting the veterans, the armed forces personnel and their families.