No solution in sight yet to resolve OROP standoff

The ex-servicement fighting for OROP stayed away from the 50th anniversary celebrations of the 1965 war in New Delhi

Retired defence services personnel — both officers and jawans — on Friday recognised that talks with the government over the one rank, one pension (OROP) demand had failed when they stayed away from the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of India’s 1965 war against Pakistan.

The golden jubilee celebrations began on Friday with President Pranab Mukherjee paying tribute to martyrs at the war memorial Amar Jawan Jyoti, to mark India’s capture of the Haji Pir Pass on August 28, 1965. However veterans were not to be seen following the breakdown of talks on Thursday night.

“As we mark the 50th anniversary of 1965 war, I bow to all brave soldiers who fought for our motherland in the war,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“The courage and bravery of our Armed Forces is very inspiring,” PM said in a series of tweets. “They triumphed over every obstacle & protected India's unity & integrity. We recall the dynamic leadership of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. In 1965 he led from the front and was a key source of strength for the nation”.

Soldiers march past as they pay homage to the martyrs to mark the 'Golden Jubilee of India's Victory in Indo-Pak War of 1965' at 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', at India Gate in New Delhi

He made no mention of OROP. Although some sort of settlement on OROP could have been announced the anniversary of 1965, last night, the group of ex-servicemen negotiating with the government walked out of a meeting that they had hoped, would finally bring a breakthrough on their demand of two decades.

They said they could not accept the government’s new proposals on OROP. The veterans will meet on Friday to decide how to escalate their protest. Sources said, the government is unwilling to appear as buckling under the veterans’ pressure to implement OROP.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said on Thursday that PM Modi would make an announcement “as and when time comes”.

The government is said to be upset as more and more veterans are joining the hunger strike at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, which began after PM failed to announce OROP in his Independence Day speech on August 15. OROP will give equal pension to servicemen retiring with the same rank regardless of when they retire.