SCPC: Coimbatore Protest Rally 06 July 2008

We had an Assembly of around 200 plus Veterans and Widows of Ex Servicemen. The Event commenced at 0945 Hrs and concluded at 1130 Hrs.

Media Coverage:
a) Jaya TV and Polymer Channel (Cable Channel).
b) Two Local newspapers and The Hindu. URL
c) The Hindu: ESM Protest Pay Panel Recommendation

Three Veteran Organisations participated in the event under one banner– Indian Ex-Servicemen's Movement(IESM). No individual banners were put up.

The Veterans showed a lot of enthusiasm for a unified effort and they were very happy that the Coimbatore Retired Defence Officers Club was represented by many Veteran officers.

One Veteran suggested that we have a singular badge which distinguishes our identity. The idea was good and will be considered for implementation in Coimbatore.

It was also suggested that such Rallies be continued even after the finalization of the Pay commission to keep up the unity of the Veterans and to interact and solve common issues. The press release given to the media is as given below.

Regards
Menon

MILITARY VETERANS RALLY AT COIMBATORE ON 06TH JULY 2008
TO PROTEST THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 6TH PAY COMMISSION
Veteran soldiers of the armed forces are holding rallies in Coimbatore and in all important cities across the country on Sunday 6th July, protesting against the ' grave injustice ' done to the serving and retired defence personnel by the Sixth Pay Commission. The Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM) is organising the 'March for Justice' in which 'thousands of former soldiers, many of them winners of gallantry awards', will participate.
Our Armed Forces have fully honoured their part of the bargain. It is now time for the country to fulfill their side, and this includes showing and providing respect for those in, and, out of uniform. The Government must look into the repairing of their relationship between Veterans of the Armed Forces who fear they are becoming pariahs as a result of their alienation by the recommendations of past Pay Commissions.
The recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission were a blow to the morale of the Armed Forces and now the review committee is dragging its feet to achieve another conundrum. The Indian Ex Servicemen were clear and concise in their demands and the availability of resources was also examined before putting up their demands so that they were reasonable and justified. However, the bureaucrats have been trying to create a caste system in the Government and have been aided by the 6th Pay Commission. They have of usurped the slot of the highest caste who supposedly deem themselves to deserve the icing on the Pay commission cake. India is not a banana republic and the Indian Armed Forces are not mercenaries. We are an Armed forces with time honoured values and traditions and have always performed. The erosion of these values and traditions is irreparable. The depletion of the Armed forces cannot be made up overnight by outsourcing the Defence of the country. It would thus be apt to recall Kautilya's sagely advice to Chandragupta on the Mauryan Soldier.

"If ever things come to a sordid pass when, on a given day, the Mauryan soldier has to LOOK BACK over his shoulder (simhawalokana) prompted by even a single worry about his and his family's material, physical and social well being, it should cause you and your Council the greatest concern and distress. I beseech you to take instant note and act with uncommon dispatch to address the soldier's anxiety. It is my bounden duty to assure you, My Lord that the day when the Mauryan soldier has to demand his dues or, worse, plead for them, will neither have arrived overnight nor in vain. It will also bode ill for Magadha. For then, on that day, you, My Lord, you will have lost all moral sanction to be King! It will also be the beginning of the end of the Mauryan Empire!"

The demands of the Ex Servicemen are:

One-Rank-One- Pension (OROP) this is a long pending demand aimed at protecting the interests of older pensioners. The issue has become very emotive with the Ex-Servicemen. OROP has been the stated policy of all mainstream political parties. Even the Congress party had included this point in their election manifesto by saying, "long-pending issue of One-Rank, One-Pension will once again be re examined and a satisfactory solution arrived at expeditiously".

A Guaranteed Government Employment. Every soldier and officer must be given assured employment till he attains the age of 60 years, which is the retiring age for all other Government employees.

Ex-Servicemen Commission. Constitution of an Ex Servicemen Commission with statutory powers to safeguard the genuine interests of the Ex-Servicemen.

Representation of Ex Servicemen. All committees/commissions and other government bodies where issues affecting the interests of Ex Servicemen are being considered, must have Ex-Servicemen representation.