Won't remain mute spectator on ex-servicemen's issues: Cong

Congress today hit back at BJP saying the Modi government may see politics when Rahul Gandhi and others raise issues involving soldiers "crying for justice" over "denial" of OROP but it won't remain a "mute spectator".
"Manner and fashion in which a soldier was forced to commit suicide on account of denial of OROP after 30 years of service as also denial of benefit under seventh pay commission is itself heart-rendering," Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said.
"Modi government may see politics when family of a dead soldier is beaten up... Modi government may see politics when soldiers cry for justice and political parties, including Rahul Gandhi, raise the issue but the truth is that it is a clarion call for justice by those bravehearts who defend us day-in and day-out," he said.

He also hit out at Haryana Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Lal Khattar for alleged apathy towards the soldier who committed suicide over the delay in OROP, saying "even today Haryana Chief Minister or his representative did not care to visit the family and express condolences."
"Why could the Chief Minister not come and why were arrangements not made to control the crowd (at the funeral site)," he asked.
Congress leader Kamal Nath said deceased soldier Ram Kishan Grewal fought for the justice for soldiers and raised the issue which is now brought before the entire country.

"It is not a matter of politics. It is about emotions. Entire country will take the issue (of OROP) forward," he said.

Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said it is the responsibility of Congress to raise issues related to the common people.
"Congress cannot be a mute spectator when a soldier has committed suicide over an issue. This is not possible. Congress is people's party. Rahul is a leader of the country," he added.
On Union minister V K Singh's remark on the mental state of the ex-soldier, he said, "There cannot be a remark cheaper than this. It is not appropriate for a person who is holding such a position to speak like this. He must apologise for it," he said.

Hooda said the NDA-government had retracted from its promise of OROP and has diluted its definition.
"The NDA had promised (OROP) but after forming the government, it has retracted from its promise and diluted the OROP. Its definition has been diluted. They did not fix the time for its revision. Now there is no binding on the time frame for its revision," he said.