the martyrdom of Lance Naiks Sudhakar Singh & Hemraj

There was the news and then came the denial…….. first the news : that more than 1000 jawans of Rajaputana Rifles were on "hunger strike" in protest against the killing of two Army jawans by Pakistani troops, later  the Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed such incidents do not "demoralise" the force.  "The Indian Army is totally professional, disciplined and highly motivated force, which handles all situations in a professional manner at all times, including in Jammu and Kashmir,"  stated that Public Relation Officer.

After the ghastly killings, tension has escalated; IAF chief N A K Browne is quoted as stating that the country might have to look at “other options” to ensure the LoC’s sanctity and that of the ceasefire along the fence.   “We’re monitoring the situation carefully because if these things continue to be the way they are and these violations continue to take place, then perhaps we may have to look at some other options for compliance,” Air Chief Marshal Browne is quoted as telling the reporters on the sidelines of an NCC function.     Air Chief Marshal Browne termed as unacceptable the growing cases of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

Meantime, the mother and the widow of Lance Naik Hemraj Singh, killed and beheaded by Pakistani troops, went on a fast on Saturday in Shernagar village, Uttar Pradesh, demanding that the government bring back the soldier’s severed head. “The family wants to see Hemraj’s head. At least bring me my son’s head,” said Hemraj’s mother Meena Devi.

Earlier, in a rhetoric, Foreign minister Salman Khurshid  spoke of ‘proportionate reaction’ ~ what was meant is only known to him; now he is stating that “wild calls for revenge and reaction” would not  be heeded to. Everyone else know that Pak makes distinction between terrorism within and those targeting India. They have been abetting terror across the border and continually disrespecting the LOC with incursions.  More than the killing mutilating the body was barbaric and deservers something more than a condemnation.

In a sad tinge, it was reported that  Army officers, who were part of the soldier’s funeral, did now allow the family’s women to see Hemraj’s body and went ahead with the cremation saying his body’s condition may shock them.     Shernagar residents too are angry that no political leader from the state or the Centre visited the family till Friday.  TOi reports that Congress legislature party leader Pradeep Mathur had to beat a hasty retreat as the residents confronted him for ‘undermining Hemraj's sacrifice’’ when he came to meet the soldier’s family on Friday evening.

Sure the martyrs who have guarded the Nation and lost their lives in protecting ours, need to be treated much better.  Today, there is some solace in the news that martyred jawan Hemraj's family members and residents of his Khairair village on Saturday [12.1.13] called off their fast after their demands were met by the Uttar Pradesh government.  It is stated that demands were for opening a Govt Inter or Degree college in the Hemraj's memory, inclusion of Village in Lohiya Samagra Vikas Yojna, grant of Rs 20 lakh to bereaved family.  29-year-old Hemraj hailed from Khairair village in Mathura district in Uttar Pradesh.

The two jawans  Lance Naiks Sudhakar Singh and Hemraj belonged to 13 Rajputana Rifles. Rajputs [from rajputra, a sanskrit word meaning son of a king], are the dominant people of Rajputana, an historic region now almost coextensive with the state of Rajasthan. The Rajputs are mainly Hindus of the warrior caste. Traditionally they have put great value on the military virtues and take great pride in their ancestry.

The Rajputana Rifles is the most senior rifle regiment of the Indian Army. It was originally raised in 1921 as part of the British Indian Army, when six previously existing regiments were amalgamated

Jai Jawan and praying for peace of Lance Naiks Sudhakar Singh and Hemraj

Pride your Nation; Love the Army

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.

13^th Jan 2013.