#AllMartyrsMatter: End State-wise Discrimination and Give Equal Compensation to All

The Issue

When a soldier lays down his life, he does so for the nation. No matter which state he belongs to. Then why is their sacrifice being measured differently?

Different state governments have conferred different compensation packages on the Pulwama martyrs families.

The 44 soldiers who died in the call of duty hailed from 10 states. The monetary compensation packages announced by all these state governments varies from Rs 2 lakhs (Tripura), to Rs 50 lakhs (Maharashtra) to Rs 1 crore (Madhya Pradesh).

It’s not just Pulwama. Data released by the Indian Army between 2005-2017 revealed that total 1,684 men lost their lives in ceasefire violations by Pakistan, anti-terrorist operations, counter insurgency and peacekeeping missions.

But all of these men got different compensation packages by their states. This discrimination must stop. All soldiers deserve the same respect in life and in death.

Sign my petition asking the Ministry of Defence to end the state-wise differential treatment for martyrs by passing an order standardising the minimum compensation amount that state governments give to the respective martyrs families.

Although all of India is mourning these bravehearts, it is their families - their parents, wives, siblings and young children - after all whose lives have been torn apart. Nothing will console mothers who have lost their sons or siblings who are left with only photographs and memories.

I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be to have to explain to the children of slain soldiers as to why Papa’s body was wrapped in a Tricolour. Who is going to tell them that he will never walk up to them to hug them, talk to them, and protect them from the outside world.

Nothing will bring these brave souls back. The least we can do as citizens is ensure that we give each one’s family the same compensation, so that they may pick up the pieces and find the strength to cope with such a loss. This is best way we can honour our soldiers.

Sign my petition because #AllMartyrsMatter

https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/here-s-what-the-different-state-governments-have-announced-to-help-the-families-of-crpf-martyrs-362299.html

Pranaadhika Sinha DevburmanPetition Starter

This petition had 1,55,308 supporters

The Issue

Pranaadhika Sinha DevburmanPetition Starter

Petition Closed

This petition had 1,55,308 supporters

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The Decision Makers

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Responded

“I have taken note of the Change.org petition #AllMartyrsMatter started by Pranaadhika Devburman asking for an end to state-wise discrimination and giving equal compensation to all martyrs across forces. I hear you and the thousands of people who supported this petition. This is a matter close to my heart too. In fact, as far back as 2010, I had written to then Raksha Mantri A K Antony on this matter and highlighted that when soldiers serve one cause - the Nation, there should be no discrimination and disparity in the compensation given to families of Bravehearts, gallantry award winners and disabled soldiers. Here's the link to the letter: https://bit.ly/2GO78g7 There must never be a situation that a soldier may feel that serving and sacrificing for one state is better than the other states because a soldier lives by the ethos of living and dying by a Flag. The Flag represents the Nation and therefore there should be a uniform framework for compensation. I think, the recent tragedy in Pulwama has brought to fore how the states are looking after the families and how the state compensation varies from Rs. 5 lakh to 1 crore. There must never be a sense that the sacrifice of one soldier is more valuable than the other depending on the state that he comes from. To create awareness about this issue, I and the legendary Blade runner and Kargil War Veteran Major D.P. Singh did a live conversation on Facebook. You can view it here: https://bit.ly/2VfICZh. A soldier lives by the ethos of the nation first, hence, I have also appealed and written to CMs of states (Read here : http://bit.ly/2BOSpxV) who respect men and women in uniform like Capt Amarinder Singh, Shri Yogi Adityanath, Shri Devendra Fadnavisji and Shri K Chandrashekar Rao to come together and arrive at a common framework for a uniform compensation package for Families of those KIA, Gallantry Award winners and wounded/Disabled soldiers. Jai Hind! Rajeev Chandrasekhar Member of Parliament”

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Responded