Colonel (retd.) Pushpender Singh, one of the three ex-servicemen on an indefinite fast at Jantar Mantar here demanding early implementation of the one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme, was on Monday admitted to the Army Research & Referral Hospital because of deteriorating health. He had been on fast for the past nine days.
One veteran said Col. Singh was admitted after his vitals dropped but was better now. Havildar (retd) Tej Singh from 2 Rajput took Col. Singh’s place at the same venue.
“The Delhi administration/police tried to take the ambulance to Rockland Hospital. We refused and took Col. Pushpender by private car to R&R, having requested the Chief of Army Staff to ensure proper treatment,” said Colonel (retd) Anil Kaul of the United Ex-Servicemen Movement.
Col. Pushpender Singh and Havaldar (retd.) Major Singh began their indefinite fast after the police tried to forcefully evict the veterans from Jantar Mantar on August 14. Havildar (retd) Ashok Kumar Chauhan had joined the fast two days later.
The ex-servicemen are hoping to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this week to discuss the OROP issue.
Earlier in the day, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Member of Parliament who had consistently raised the issue of OROP, met the ex-servicemen and welcomed the proposed dialogue between Mr. Modi and the veterans. “Now that PM Modi is directly focussed on OROP, I am confident that the issue will be resolved soon and to the satisfaction of the veterans.”
Mr. Chandrasekhar said he was “distressed” to see veterans having to agitate but applauded them for their dignified protest.
