Continuing their pressure on the government over the delay in implementing the long-pending One-Rank, One-Pension (OROP) scheme, ex-servicemen took out a massive rally on Sunday in the national capital and across the country to express their displeasure. They also announced indefinite relay hunger strike from Monday. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar asked ex-servicemen to have “patience” and said the government would deliver on its promise.
The rally comes after several rounds of official and backchannel talks failed to make any headway. The veterans had been demanding that the government announce a timeline for implementation of OROP.
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“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured us that it will be implemented, but it has been one year,” said Col. (retd.) Anil Kaul, media adviser to the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM).
Speaking at a conference in Jaipur, Mr. Parrikar asked ex-servicemen to have patience. “I assure you whatever we have promised that all would be done ... but some people need to be patient,” he said.
Warrant Officer Guru Dayal Singh Saggu, a 92-year-old veteran who attended the rally at Jantar Mantar, said, “Genuine requirements of all should be addressed.” He added that he had dedicated his lifetime for “my brethren” and would continue to support the cause of ex-servicemen.
A majority of those present at the rally signed petitions in blood which they plan to submit to the President Pranab Mukherjee. Asked why they were signing in blood, one retired officer quoted Subhash Chandra Bose who said “Give me blood and I will give you freedom.”
The veterans also reiterated that there was only one definition on OROP and asked the government to adhere to it. Mr. Modi had said in an interview that the delay was partly due to “several definitions” and the government was working to get a consensus.
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