Expressing displeasure at the detention of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, who were stopped from meeting the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP), the Trinamool Congress on Wednesday stated that its representative is on his way to the national capital to chime in the developments.
Taking to Twitter, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it was very sad that a former jawan committed suicide, adding that it was unfortunate that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting the bereaved family.
"They should be allowed. Our representative is on his way to Delhi," she said.
Rahul Gandhi, who was detained today after he tried to meet the kin of Grewal, lashed out at the Delhi Police for arresting the former jawan's family besides himself.
"You have arrested the son of an army veteran. Why have you done that? Aren't you ashamed? What kind of work are you doing?," Rahul can be seen saying to the cops in the footage from his detention inside Mandir Marg Police station.
Rahul Gandhi was stopped close to the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital here when he went to meet the family of the victim Grewal.
Expressing his ire over not being allowed to meet the Grewal, Rahul took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over this bizarre development.
"Let's see how long I have to wait here. I am certain that I will talk to the family. This is a strange behaviour. This is Modi's ji's country," he told ANI after being denied permission to visit the Hospital.
However, Special Commissioner Mukesh Kumar Meena told the media here that Rahul Gandhi has been detained for trying to enter the hospital despite being advised otherwise.
"It is a hospital and not a place for demonstration. Rahul Gandhi detained at Mandir Marg Police Station for 'disruption of duty'. Democracy doesn't mean creating obstruction. Leaders must also understand that hospital is not the place to hold any demonstrations," he added.
Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was also 'forcibly removed' from the hospital premises after he went to meet the grieving family. He later tweeted, "I had gone to the hospital to meet the family of the ex-serviceman, not to launch a dharna. What mistake have I done?"
Taking to Twitter, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?"
Grewal consumed poison last afternoon. However, the cause behind Grewal's suicide is yet to be ascertained.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought details of the incident from the department of ex-servicemen welfare.
"Saddened by the death of subedar Ram Kishen Grewal. I express my heartfelt condolences. I have asked officials to provide me with details," Parrikar tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while celebrating the Diwali with the army and ITBP personnel in Sumdo, Kinnaur, had said that the first instalment of nearly Rs. 5,500 crore has been paid for implementing the OROP scheme.
The Prime Minister also asserted that he has "fulfilled the promise" which he made to ex-servicemen on the issue that has been hanging fire for the last 40 years.
OROP scheme has been a long-standing demand of nearly three-million ex-servicemen and war widows in the country.
It seeks to ensure that a uniform pension is paid to defence personnel, who retire at the same rank with the same length of service irrespective of their date of retirement.
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