Hazare to join ex-servicemen protest on 'Vijay Diwas'

Social activist Anna Hazare on Wednesday said he would join ex-servicemen in their protest against delay in implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on the occasion of 'Vijay Diwas' on July 26.

Hazare, who has served in the Indian Army, in an audio message sent to the protesting ex-servicemen on Wednesay, said a rally would be taken out on "Vijay Diwas". The day on July 26 commemorates the 1999 Kargil war victory.

"On 26th July, 2015, Vijay Diwas is being celebrated... We won the war because of those who were martyred at Kargil," Hazare said in the audio message.

"On this occasion, taking up the issue of One Rank One Pension, I will come to Jantar Mantar in Delhi for a 'Sena Samman' rally," he said, giving a call to all former soldiers and farmers to attend the rally.

"Former soldiers and farmers should participate in the rally in huge numbers," he said.

Hazare earlier wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to implement the OROP scheme at the earliest, failing which he said he would launch a countrywide agitation for it.

In his letter, Anna said the country must take care of its farmers and soldiers. However, he clarified his protest was not political.