IESM: Fast for Justice Rally Jantar Mantar- thirty ninth day

Dear Colleagues,

The relay fast continues. The battleground of Jantar Mantar continues to remain abuzz with activity.

We extend a heartful welcome to the following new members and thank them for their generous contributions:

Army
Brig AS Adhikari

Punjab Team
I had mentioned about 29 new names in the report dated 23 Jan 2008 disclosing that these are being fwd separately. The remaining 17 names are as under:
30. Capt Reet MP Singh VrC, Nabha
31. Balwant Kaur w/o Hav Kehar Singh, Patiala. 32. Sgt Sikander Singh, Mohali. 33. Hav/ Clk Dalip Singh, Mohali. 34. Harinder Kaur w/o CPO BS Mangat
35. Mr RP Singh, Mohali.
37. Sep Mehnga Singh, Mohali
38. Basant Kaur W/o Spr Shamsher Singh, (Pb)
39. Sep Harjinder Singh, Samrala, Ludhiana.
40. Nk Jasbir Singh
41. Capt Jasbir Singh
42. Wg Cdr Bakhshish Singh, Mohali.
43. Nk Rattan Singh, Mohali.
44. Wg Cdr PSB Sachdeva, Mohali
45. CPO Mohinder Singh, Mohali.
46. Sep Swaran Singh, Mohali.

Others
a) R Adm HC Malhotra, Noida
b) Cmde M Jankiraman from USA
c) Cmde Suresh Sawhney from Mumbai
d) Cdr RW Pathak, Pune
e) Cmdr Gomes C H from Auckland, NZ
f) Col Paramjit Pental from Gurgaon
g) Col Tilak Bhatia from Gurgaon
h) Col Israel Jayakaran, Sigs, Chennai
i) Lt Col SS Chauhan coutesy Brig JK Nangpal
j) Lt Col Anil Sagar coutesy Brig JK Nangpal
k) Air Cmde K L Bhatia coutesy Brig JK Nangpal
l) Lt Col Inder Iqbal Singh coutesy Brig JK Nangpal
m) Lt Col V K Kapur coutesy Brig JK Nangpal
n) Brig J K Nangpal
o) Gp Capt Vijay Bapat, Pune
p) Col SL Narula, Noida

Received a call from Hony Capt T Lotha from Nagaland. He is Secretary of the District Soldiers Board at Wokha and wanted membership forms for the IESM. Reaching out so far East is an encouraging sign. A sheaf of forms has been couriered to him.

Maintaining Discipline at Rallies
Members have been rightly concerned about maintaining discipline during the rallies, including 08 Feb 2009. To put the record straight, no effigies were burnt on 27 Dec 2008 and none will be allowed in the future. The rally on 27 Dec remained dignified. We even prevented slogans against, or in eulogy of any individual person. This was strictly observed.

Our plank of OROP demand rests on our projection that we are different from others and that the govt is not justified in equating us with civilians. We therefore must also behave differently. Burning of effigies and shouting derogatory slogans does not behove the image of disciplined soldiers. We must also avoid delivering inflammatory speeches. Broadly speaking, and subject to the Core Gp approving details, we assemble at Jantar Mantar, march carrying OROP placards in a dignified manner along a few km circuit (route being worked out in concert with Delhi police), return to Jantar Mantar, distribute press handout, make a few brief speeches reminding everyone about the concept and rationale of OROP (we are also trying to get some civilians to join). Thereafter, we take off our medals and deposit these in a bag/ bags and a designated party delivers these to the Reception Centre at Rashtrapati Bhawan. (The Hon’ble President is out of Delhi on that day.) The action is in hand to request the Secy to the President to have the medals received.

The success of the rally will be gauged in terms of the numbers that attend. We should neither indulge, nor be provoked into indulging in any action that blots the high esteem that we enjoy in public mind. Allow me to add that anyone who is not confident of keeping his cool under those circumstances is requested to review his opton of attending the rally.

Best regards,
Lt Gen (Emeritus) Raj Kadyan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Chairman IESM