Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Modi government of merely offering enhanced pensions while claiming to have implemented one-rank-one-pension for ex-servicemen.
Addressomg journalists after meeting a delegation of protesting ex-servicemen in the afternoon, Mr. Gandhi said that the government should apologise for the “misbehavior” with the family of a retired soldier who committed suicide days back and accept the demands of Army veterans.
“What is being called the OROP by the Modi government is just pension enhancement. All Army men know this. Modi ji, stop lying and implement OROP,” Mr. Gandhi said.
He accused the government of giving huge benefits to 15 industrialists but having nothing to offer to soldiers and farmers, recalling that Jai Jawan Jai Kisan was once a favoured slogan in the country.
It is not about money. It is about honour and justice,” Mr. Gandhi said. “The ex-servicemen said that if the government clearly says it has no money to give, they would not ask for it... The Prime Minister says he has implemented the OROP. If yes, why are ex-servicemen protesting at Jantar Mantar?”
He added that the defence forces also had other demands related to the Seventh Pay Commission and disability-related demands.
“I want to tell the government — our jawans have given their lives and many years for the nation. Respect them and accept the OROP. It is their right and the government has to give it.”
He accused the government of being insensitive towards the family of the Ram Kishan Grewal, the ex-serviceman who committed suicide days back.
