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An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) in New Delhi. The 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal from Haryana’s Bhiwani district ended his life in the lawns behind the Jawahar Bhavan, which houses the Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday evening. [caption id=“attachment_2648874” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
Representational image. Firstpost[/caption] Police said he along with three of his companions had come to the city apparently to submit a memorandum to the Defence Ministry over the issue of OROP. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said he was saddened over the death of Grewal. “Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details,” Parrikar said in a tweet. According to his friends, Grewal, who served in the Army and the Defence Security Corps for 30 years, had been upset over the issue for sometime. Defence Ministry sources said as per records, no request for appointment with Parrikar was made. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the suicide of an ex-serviceman here, saying both farmers and soldiers were ending their lives in his regime. Kejriwal, a bitter critic of Modi, also alleged that the Prime Minister was “lying” that the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme was being implemented by the Centre, contending that ex-serviceman, Ram Kishan Grewal, would not have committed suicide if the scheme was being executed by the Centre. A group of ex-servicemen led by Major General Satbir Singh (Retd) have been protesting against the OROP scheme introduced by the government. He is now an advisor to a new political party, Fauji Janta Party, which will fight in the upcoming Punjab Assembly Polls. The alleged suicide came just days after a one-man judicial committee on OROP submitted its report to Parrikar. The Centre, which has implemented the OROP, a demand which had been pending for decades, had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of Justice L Narasimha Reddy, retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP. The Ministry is currently studying the report and sources had said it will take a decision soon. The ex-serviceman have been holding protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi’s designated site for protests, to demand changes in OROP. Protesters say four of their primary conditions have not been met by the government. The main demands are revision of pension every year rather than the five years as decided by the government and OROP being extended to pre-mature retirees. Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said he is anguished by the suicide of Grewal of 105 Infantry Btn (TA) and DSC. “He died at Jantar Mantar where veterans have protested in the past and some continue to protest despite my calls to call off the protest. My deepest condolences to his family and his friends,” he said in a statement. The MP urged Parrikar to urgently resolve the outstanding issues/anomalies of OROP and also the 7th Central Pay Commission that continue to agitate and worry those serving and the veterans. “I urge him, as I have done repeatedly, to involve direct representation from the armed forces in resolving these issues and not leave it only to the bureaucrats and to do so urgently,” he said. With inputs from PTI
Orop protests LIVE: Rahul Gandhi demands apology from Modi govt for ill-treating Grewal's family
An ex-serviceman allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison over the issue of One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) in New Delhi.
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CNN News18 reports
Raj Babbar addresses media after Rahul Gandhi denied entry inside Jantar Mantar
Senior Congress leader Raj Babbar slammed the Centre for its crackdown on “peaceful” protesters and said that Rahul Gandhi’s detention is a good indicator of which way the country is going.
Congress workers stage a protest against the detention of Rahul Gandhi in Delhi
Congress leader Jagdish Tytler reacts
Watch: Rahul Gandhi demands Narendra Modi’s apology
Mera kya hai, main yahin baitha rahoonga: Rahul Gandhi
TV footage shows that quite a drama is unfolding at the protest site in Delhi at Jantar Mantar. An ANI reporter speaking to Rahul Gandhi asked the Congress vice-president why was he not allowed inside, was it because of security reasons? Here is what Rahul said:
“Na police station le ja rahein hain, na andar jane de rahein hain. Aadhe ghante se yahin baithe hain. Mujhe bataya ki Section 144 ki wajah se detain kiya hai humein. (They are neither taking me to the police station nor letting me go to the protest site. We have been sitting here for half an hour. They told you security reasons, and they told me Section 144 is behind my detention). The way the police behaved with Subedar Grewal’s family – they kicked them, slapped them, beat them up, abused them – this affects the morale of the Army. I just want the government to apologise to the family of Ram Kishan Grewal for all the ill-treatment. Mera kya hai, main toh yahin baitha rahunga. (I have nothing else to do, I will keep sitting here)”
Undeclared emergency in India: Congress after Rahul Gandhi escorted from protest site
After Delhi Police stopped Rahul Gandhi from marching at Jantar Mantar protest, Congress launched a scathing attack on the Narendra Modi government saying that there is an undeclared Emergency in the country.
Speaking to CNN-News18, spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “If there was violation of Section 144 why was Rahul Gandhi detained alone? There is an undeclared Emergency in the country? This action by government is highly undemocratic.”
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police told mediapersons at the protest site that Rahul Gandhi’s car was stuck in a jam and control room got a call from SPG. “He’s not detained, been taken to his house,” police officials said.
Rahul Gandhi not detained, say Delhi Police
Speaking to CNN-News18, delhi police officials said Rahul Gandhi has not been detained. According to reporters present at the site, the police control room received a telephone call after which the Congress vice-president was taken to his residence in a car.
The details have not been verified by Firstpost independently.
Delhi Police stops Rahul Gandhi from joining protest at Jantar Mantar
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has been detained by the Delhi police on his arrival at the protest site, latest reports said.
Crime Branch to probe ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal’s suicide case
Ex-paramilitary personnel protesting over the OROP scheme in Delhi
Why he committed suicide is a matter of probe: BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on ex-serviceman’s death
Commenting on ex-army officer Ram Kishan Grewal’s suicide, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya said “Why he committed suicide is a matter of probe, as he was already getting benefit of OROP.”
On Rahul Gandhi attending Grewal’s funeral in Bhiwani on Thursday, Vijayvargiya said, “His actions are similar to that of a hero of a comedy circus."
It’s shameful that such a person writes ‘General’ before his name: Congress leader Raj Babbar on VK Singh’s comment on Grewal
“VK Singh’s mental condition needs to be examined. It’s shameful that such a person writes ‘General’ before his name,” Congress leader Raj Babbar said.
If Grewal had reached out to us and didn’t get help, then it was our fault: BJP leader VK Singh
“Ram Kishan Grewal was a Congress worker and who fought Sarpanch election on Congress ticket. His suicide is unfortunate and his issue was with the bank and not with OROP. Also, how did he procure Sulfa tablets and who gave it to him?” BJP leader VK Singh asked.
“If he had reached out to us and didn’t get help, then it was our fault,” VK Singh added.
Ex-jawan committing suicide can’t be called a martyr: Haryana Minister Anil Vij
Reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s statement on ex-army officer Ram Kishan Grewal being a martyr, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij reportedly told India Today that any former army officer committing suicide can’t be called as a martyr.
“Like mosquitoes hover around the light, they (politicians) hover around the camera shutterbugs,” Vij added.
Furthermore, echoing the same Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, “Those who die defending the nation are martyrs. There’s a lot of politics happening over OROP issue.”
We will soon sort out the paperwork in OROP issue: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
“One lakh people are yet to get full benefit of OROP, there is some technical issue in it, we will soon sort out the paperwork,” Manohar Parrikar said.
If Orop has been granted why are soldiers protesting?: Congress leader Randeep Surjewala
Bashing the Narendra Modi govt over the implementation of the revised Orop plan, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “If Orop has been granted why are soldiers protesting? This shows Modi ji is lying.”
“Modi government should apologise to the Indian Armed Forces and Ram Kishan Grewal’s family for questioning his mental state. Yes, we are ready to do politics to protect Grewal’s family and for the respect of our armed forces,” Surjewala said.
Ram Kishan Grewal is a martyr for us: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
“Ram Kishan Grewal is a martyr for us, he served our Army for 30 years and died for our country. The Delhi government will provide Rs 1 crore as compensation to Grewal’s family,” said Kejriwal.
“The whole nation will fight with Centre for OROP rights. We are doing politics here to ensure that jawans get their due,” Delhi CM added.
Delhi Police completely mishandled it: Satyapal Singh, BJP MP on detention of Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Dy CM and Delhi CM
Stating that there is no harm in letting anyone meet Grewal’s family, former Mumbai police commissioner and BJP MP Satyapal Singh said that Delhi Police should have managed it in a better way. “I think Delhi Police should have handled the situation better, they completely mishandled it,” Singh said.
Delhi Police completely mishandled it: Satyapal Singh on detention of Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Dy CM and Delhi CM
Stating that there is no harm in letting anyone meet Grewal’s family, former Mumbai police commissioner and BJP MP Satyapal Singh said that Delhi Police should have managed it in a better way. “I think Delhi Police should have handled the situation better, they completely mishandled it,” Singh said.
Last rites ceremony of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal underway
Last rites ceremony of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal underway
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal reaches Bhiwani, Haryana to attend ex-army officer Ram Kishan Grewal’s funeral, reports CNN-News18
We have sought report on Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM and Delhi Deputy CM’s detention: Hansraj Ahir, MoS Home Affairs
Hansraj Ahir, MoS Home Affairs said that a report has been sought from the Delhi Police on Rahul Gandhi, Delhi CM and Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia’s detention.
Rs 10 lakh compensation announced for Grewal’s kin
Haryana Transport Minister, Krishan Lal Panwar announces Rs 10 lakh compensation to family of Ram Kishan Grewal and a job to one family member, reported ANI.
Last rites ceremony of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal underway
UPA had passed OROP that the Army sought, BJP diluted the provisions: Congress leader Deependra Hooda
Addressing the media in Bhiwani, Congress leader Deependra Hooda said that the previous UPA-led government has passed the One Rank One Pension which was sought by the Army. However, the incumbent BJP-led government has diluted the norms and provisions of the scheme.
Is it wrong to offer condolences to a grieving family?: Rahul Gandhi
Is it wrong to offer condolences to a grieving family?, reasoned Rahul Gandhi after he was released from the detention on Wednesday night.
Firstpost writer Bikram Vora says why politicians like Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal shouldn’t be stopped from attending Grewal’s funeral
“Rahul Gandhi, Manish Sisodia and Arvind Kejriwal should not be stopped from visiting the former veteran Ram Kishan Grewal’s house because he committed suicide because they love being stopped. So, why play into their hands? Having scored brownie points, they will disappear to the next ‘mourning’ circle and do more of the same,” writes Vora.
“Wasn’t this the same Arvind Kejriwal who said the surgical strikes never happened and soldiers are fibbers. This story will collapse very soon unless someone discovers it wasn’t a suicide.”
Firstpost writer Prakash Katoch pointed out the politicisation of the ex-army man’s death
“The ironic part is the manner in which the suicide has been politicised; Congress VP, Delhi deputy CM, Delhi CM all in Dharna outside Ram Manohar Lohia hospital. The mobs accompanied them forced the police to close the gates of the hospital, which automatically denied entry to patients who needed to come to the hospital – but that is India,” writes Katoch.
“It is not the smirk and smile of the politicians while being interviewed on TV was noticeable, but the quick-time manner in which they made a beeline to the hospital scene can hardly rule out something more to the episode. Has any one of these politicians merrily politicising a soldier’s suicide bothered to lay a single flower on the bodies of martyred soldiers that arrive by air in Delhi periodically and are honoured by the army before being ceremonially dispatched to their native places?”
Rahul Gandhi reaches residence of Ram Kishan Grewal in Bhiwani (Haryana)
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday arrived at residence of Ram Kishan Grewal in Bhiwani (Haryana) ahead of the funeral rites.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia comments on the days events after being released from police custody.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commented on the allegations made against the Modi govt on the Orop status with a tweet.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commented on the allegations made against the Modi govt on the Orop status with a tweet.