Sons at border, elderly in Delhi: Army families wage twin battle

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, December 28

Many families are fighting a twin battle these days as their sons are standing on international borders (IB) as Army men to protect the country while their elders and children are fighting for farm rights at the Delhi borders.

“I retired as a Havaldar from the Army in 2004. My son and brother are in the Army. Like other soldiers, I also believe that the present agitation of farmers is no less than a battle. Unfortunately, we have to fight with our own government. The laws will ruin farming,” said Gurbakashpura resident Karmjit Singh, who has been sitting at the Tikri border since December 1.

SAD Sainik wing president of Punjab Gurjinder Singh Sidhu, who is also an ex-serviceman, said there were many soldiers who were protecting the international borders but their elders were compelled to sit on the Delhi border against the Central farm laws.

“My grandson is in the Army. He calls me repeatedly to know the latest and always motivates all to stay there till the end. We will not go back till the rollback of the black laws. Many say biting cold will create serious problems for the aged but we are ready to die,” said Surjit Singh, an elderly from Bajwa village. Apart from elders and youth, children of Army men are also raising their voice.

“We are two sisters. Earlier, I stayed at the protest till December 4. I have rejoined the stir two days back after appearing in my Class 12 exams. I will go back after the end of the agitation,” said Navjot Kaur (18), whose father is in the Army.