New Delhi, Nov. 11 : Major General (Retd.) Satbir Singh, who is leading the One Rank One Pension (OROP) protest against the government, on Wednesday denied the rumour of ex-servicemen burning their gallantry medals.
“We have no knowledge and we have no plans for that at the Jantar Mantar. We do not want to burn it. Why should we burn it? If there is anything, we will see at that particular time,” Singh told ANI.
“He is the Prime Minister of India and if he is celebrating Diwali with the serving personnel, he is welcome to do so. Last time also he did that. But we veteran soldiers are celebrating a “Black Diwali” for the government’s apathy and injustice for not granting us the One Rank One Pension as sanctioned by the Parliament,” he added.
Singh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fulfil his assurances in letter and spirit.
Slamming Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for failing to deliver his promises on the OROP scheme, the protesting army veterans had yesterday warned the former to stop misleading the nation and dared him to meet with their delegation for an open discussion.
“Government has not given us the OROP which was assured and the notification issued has seven shortcomings. We are angry and are going to express our fury by retuning our medals from every district and let me inform you that medals have been pouring in large numbers from across the nation,” Singh told ANI. (ANI)