VK Singh’s daughter joins OROP protest by veterans

Tribune News Service

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New Delhi, August 23

In a major boost to ex-servicemen’s protest demanding “One Rank, One Pension” (OROP), the daughter of Union Minister General VK Singh (retd) today joined the veterans at Jantar Mantar.

Mrinalini Singh said: “I am here in my personal capacity. My grandfather, father and husband have served the Army. The OROP is a just cause and has been pending for many years.” Asked if her father approved her joining the protest, she said: "I have not sought his permission. I don’t need to. I have come straight from Hisar because I support the cause.” Later, the ex-servicemen held a candlelight march (pic on P18) from Jantar Mantar to India Gate to pay “homage”, a “remembrance ceremony” to mark 50 years of the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The “ceremony” was to counter the government as the retired soldiers had announced to boycott a slew of functions to be organised by the government from August 28 onwards. The veterans had come from all over the country with a majority of them from Noida, Gurgaon and Delhi. Many of them arrived donning caps with their regimental insignia and flashing medals on their chest. She urged her father to join the protest. “My dad is an ex-serviceman. He should join us,” she said.