‘Some demands are not appropriate keeping in view…’-Rajasthan CM Gehlot on Pulwama martyr widow protests

By Shahnaz On Mar 8, 2023

Image source: PTI/FILE The Chief Minister spoke on the ongoing controversy regarding the martyrs’ widows

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday explained why his government cannot fulfill some of the demands of the widows of the Pulwama martyrs. In a statement, he said the widow of Hemraj Meena, who was killed in the attack, wants to install a third statue despite two others already being installed in a park in Government College, Sangod and his native village Vinod Kalan.

“Such a demand is not appropriate keeping in mind the families of other martyrs,” the Chief Minister said in a statement in Hindi. Rohitash Lamba’s wife is seeking a job for her brother-in-law out of pity but if he is given a job, the family members or relatives of all the martyrs’ widows may start putting undue pressure on them.

“Should we create such a difficult situation for the wives of martyrs because the rules that have been made at present are based on past experiences. How can we deny the rights of children of martyrs and give jobs to others? Can it be legitimate? Relatives? What will happen to the children of the martyrs when they become adults.”

Gehlot criticized the BJP

Gehlot hit out at the BJP saying that some of its leaders are disrespecting martyrs’ widows and using them for political gain.

This comes after relatives of three CRPF jawans killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack reached the residence of Congress leader Sachin Pilot and demanded a meeting with the party high command, accusing the state government of not fulfilling its promises to them. Came a day later.

Without directly naming BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Kirori Lal Meena, who was on ‘dharna’ with the martyrs’ widows, Gehlot said in a statement, “Some BJP leaders are disrespecting the wives of martyrs for political gain.” have been Mileage. This has never been the tradition of Rajasthan. I condemn it.”

What are the demands?
The widows’ demands include erecting statues of martyred jawans, giving jobs to their relatives on compassionate grounds and constructing roads in their villages.

Gehlot said that during his first term as Chief Minister in 1999, the Rajasthan government had released the Kargil package for the dependents of martyrs and it has been enhanced from time to time to make it more effective.
He said that the Rajasthan government has made a provision that if the wife of a soldier is pregnant at the time of martyrdom and does not want the job, then it will be reserved for the child so that his future can be secured.

Gehlot said that according to the rules of this package, help has been given to the dependents of the martyrs of Pulwama.

“Rajasthan is a land of heroes and thousands of soldiers from the state have sacrificed their lives for the motherland. The people and the government here respect the martyrs the most,” added Gehlot.

He said he shared his views on the issue with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, Gehlot government minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas met the martyrs’ widows protesting outside the pilot’s house and said that it is the responsibility of the government to honor them.

Pilot had written to Gehlot on Monday demanding an inquiry into the alleged police mistreatment of widows. He also asked them to consider their demands sympathetically.
(with PTI input)

Also Read: Police attack widows of Pulwama attack martyrs during protest against Ashok Gehlot’s government | see