Major General Mrinal Suman, AVSM, VSM, PhD
The growing adversarial relationship between the Government and ex-servicemen is a matter of grave concern.
For the last few years, an impression is gaining ground that the Government is becoming increasingly intolerant and biased against ex-servicemen and is treating them unfairly.
The military is an instrument of the Government. How can a Government let itself be seen as an adversary of its own constituent? More so when the affected constituent consists of retired soldiers who have given the best part of their lives to the nation and now, in the twilight of their lives, look up to the Government for support to be able to lead a respectable life?
They do not seek favour or pity but ask for compassion, understanding and equity. They want their Government to acknowledge the severity of their service conditions and their contribution to nation safeguarding.
The vindictiveness and wickedness with which the Government is contesting court orders given in favour of the ex-servicemen has shocked even die-hard supporters of the Government. Three sets of recent cases clearly show the Government's intransigence and obduracy.
Image: Ex servicemen deposit their medals at a protest at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Sunday, March 14, 2010. (Picture copyright PTI. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.)
Also see: Unsung heroes: Know your Men | His last cigarette
