Veterans Raise Concerns Over Declining Stature of Indian Armed Forces

by The_unmuteenglish

Chandigarh, 15 December 2024: Sixty distinguished defence veterans from North India convened at the Chandigarh Press Club on Saturday, voicing concerns over what they described as a decline in the stature of the Indian Armed Forces.

The seminar addressed pressing issues, including the implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP), the Agniveer recruitment scheme, and the Short Service Commission (SSC).

Participants argued these policies were creating a disconnect between India’s youth and the military, posing challenges to the future of military service.

Criticizing current approaches, veterans accused politicians of enacting measures that undermine the armed forces.

Among the primary issues raised were the degradation of military ranks, the urgent need for universal implementation of OROP, and calls for introducing a three-tier rank system.

Other key demands included fixing tenure limits for SSC personnel and the enactment of an Ex-Servicemen Welfare Act.

“Universal OROP is essential to maintain parity and dignity for veterans across the board,” said Lt. Col. GPS Virk (Retd.), while Capt. Ramesh Bhardwaj (Retd.) called for immediate attention to systemic issues.

“A well-defined structure, including welfare measures, is critical for preserving the military’s honor,” Bhardwaj stated.

The seminar’s recommendations were immediately relayed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh via live tweets, according to organizers.

The veterans underscored the importance of decisive action to address these grievances and safeguard the armed forces’ reputation.

Related Articles