Indian politicians must stop playing politics with the dead
It is unfortunate that leaders of various parties are trying to exploit an ex-soldier’s suicide for political gain
Politicians in India never fail to disappoint. They manage to politicise just about every issue — from caste to pensions.
When Dalit (backward caste) student Rohit Vemula committed suicide over fellowship fees in Hyderabad, politicians of various hues and ranks descended there to wipe the tears of his loved ones and sympathise with the cause of the country’s downtrodden. Almost always, it is the fault of the party in power. And most often, it is lip service.
In the latest incident, a 70-year-old former soldier Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide in the heart of India’s capital New Delhi, protesting the delay in the implementation of the One Rank One Pension scheme for defence personnel. And within minutes, the political farce played out. Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party member Manish Sisodia rushed to the hospital to meet the soldier’s family members. So did Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.
Emotions had been fanned and tension spread through the area. The police detained both Sisodia and Rahul to control the situation and then released them. The AAP blamed the ruling party at the Centre, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for the chaos that ensued after the suicide and the delay in the implementation of the pension scheme. The BJP, in turn, blamed other parties who were once in power for the delay in implementing the scheme. The BJP also blamed Rahul and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of AAP for fomenting trouble. And soon Grewal and the pension scheme were forgotten. One eminent Congress leader even went as far as saying Rahul’s detention would pave the way for the Congress’ revival. This absurd statement was in such poor taste — playing politics with the dead.
It’s been 70 years since India achieved her Independence and yet there are serious issues such as poverty and unemployment, among others, plaguing the democracy. Politicians and leaders must stop playing politics with the dead. They should address issues such as caste and army pensions in all honesty and decency.
