My father was not from any party': Ex-serviceman's son hits back at VK Singh
New Delhi: Hitting out at Union Minister V.K. Singh's comment on his deceased father, Dilwar Singh Grewal, son of the ex-serviceman who reportedly committed suicide on Tuesday said that his father did not sacrifice his life for his own benefit, but did it for the welfare of the army veterans across the nation.
Singh had also alleged that Grewal had fought the Sarpanch elections on a ticket from Congress.
"Sarpanch election is different than regular national elections .He was not from any party, he was just working for the people. He sacrificed his life not for the family but for his co workers," said ex-serviceman son.
On Wednesday, Singh made a controversial statement as he questioned the mental health status of the Ram Kishan Grewal adding that that very issue of OROP should be kept away from politics.
"Most aspects of the OROP have been covered and that if someone complains over a few pennies and the delay of a few years, he should not be indulged," Singh said.
"It was a demand made 40 years ago and this government has fulfilled those demands. Some money was to be given, which the Reddy Commission is rectifying. If you cannot wait for that, then it is definitely wrong," he added.
Earlier today, Singh yet again gave fodder to the opposition saying that the deceased veteran was a Congress worker.
"He was a Congress worker and who fought Sarpanch election on Congress ticket. His suicide is unfortunate," he said.
The minister also raised questions about the manner in which Grewal committed suicide saying, "Also, how did he procure Sulpha tablets and who gave it to him?"
In response, the Congress asserted that the Centre is hard at work to tarnish the memory of the ex-serviceman.
"Modiji has unleashed the full might of Gen V.K.Singh, M.L.Khattar, Anil Vij & Co. to tarnish the memory of Subedar Ramkishan. Utterly deplorable," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said.
One Rank One Pension, a longstanding demand of ex-servicemen, grants retired armed forces personnel pension parity with officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now.
The ex-serviceman had participated in protests over OROP and his fellow-protesters today asked leaders not to politicise the issue. A group of ex-servicemen say the OROP scheme implemented by the government last year fails to meet key expectations.
Grewal consumed poison on Tuesday. However, the cause behind his suicide is yet to be ascertained.
The 69-year-old former jawan was protesting over the OROP issue at Jantar Mantar in Delhi when he committed suicide on Tuesday.
Earlier in the day mortal remains of Grewal, who committed suicide over the OROP issue were consigned to flames as his last rites were perfumed at his native village in Bhiwani, Haryana.
