New Delhi: A large number of ex-servicemen, including General rank officers, on Sunday returned their medals to the Government protesting the non-implementation of their demand for "one rank, one pension" (OROP) principle.
Alleging that a "raw deal" was given to the armed forces by the Sixth Pay Commission, the ex-servicemen, who also included Colonels, held a demonstration in the national capital. They sent their medals to President Pratibha Patil who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
They also threatened to emerge as a "potential votebank" and contest elections to teach the "politicians and bureaucrats" a fitting lesson.
"We handed over all the medals of the ex-servicemen who participated in today's protest to an official of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The medals were in thousands," said chariman of the Indian Ex-Serviceman, Lt Gen Raj Kadyan.
He termed the protest by the ex-servicemen as an "unparallelled" and "unfortunate" development in the country.
"A soldier devotes the best years of his life to the country. When he retires, his medals are his most prized possession. These are a proud record of his contribution to keeping the country safe and united," said Lt Gen Raj Kadyan, who is set to return his Param Vhishst Seva Medal (PVSM) and other medals.
The former military-men said they were "forced" to come out to the streets by the successive governments to meet their demands and get justice.
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