OROP issue turns into a nightmare for Centre as ex-serviceman commits suicide at Jantar Mantar
New Delhi : An ex-serviceman on Wednesday committed suicide at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi after being humiliated over the on-going issue on One Rank One Pansion (OROP) scheme.
Identified as Ram Kishan Grewal, the former Jawan from Bhiwani district in Haryana, left a suicide note claiming that he is left with no other option than this extreme step for the wellness of Indian soldiers.
A news channel further reported that his family is blaming the Centre for the suicide. The Ex-serviceman has written a letter to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the issue. In the letter, he asks government to 'please pay heed to our demands'.
#UPDATE Ex-serviceman writes letter to Parrikar before committing suicide, saying 'please pay heed to our demands', reports @Nitisha_Kashyap pic.twitter.com/gQOM4WJHOp
— News18 (@CNNnews18) November 2, 2016
Mr Grewal also claimed discrepancies in the pension scheme which allegedly gave him less pension than one of his colleagues on the same post. He also claimed that there are many soldiers like him who have not received hike in the pension.
"He called us and informed that he is committing suicide as the government has failed to fulfill their demands related to OROP," ANI quoted Grewal's son as saying.
Jagdish Rai, Grewal's friend, also told CNN-News18 that Grewal should be treated like a martyr because he "sacrificed his life for other soldiers".
Delhi: Ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Garehwal (who was protesting at Jantar Mantar) allegedly commits suicide over OROP issue pic.twitter.com/xP4VlRldxE
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal came up with a sharp reaction onto it and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of lying to people about implementation of OROP.
V sad. Soldiers fighting on border against external enemy n fighting within for their rights. Whole nation shud stand up for their rights https://t.co/deRYUV9J0y
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016
The OROP scheme has been a long time issue since over two million ex-servicemen raised demands for a uniform pension for soldiers.
The Centre had appointed the committee under the chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.
