One Rank, One Pension that is OROP, existed in India till
1973, (veterans were given OROP since 1947 for the next 26 years.). Then the
3rd CPC arbitrarily reduced the pension of military veterans from 70% of pay to
50%, discontinued OROP and automatic yearly revision of pension without any
justification.
Old demand to restore OROP, picked up and result is in front
of us. It threatened present ruling party in coming Bihar Poll and it was
forced to announce some mutilated OROP!
Yet, this movement
exposed how ruling class and its parties harp on and use the sacrifice of Armed
forces to further its narrow minded and aggressive nationalism and how it uses
general peoples' sentiments attached with Armed Forces to hoodwink the Indian
Masses but act with disdain when it
comes to meeting their demands
OROP brought a large section of retired personnel, especially
Jawans, PBOR (Person Below Officer Rank, which includes Havaldars and JCOs) as
well on road to protest denial of OROP at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere! These
personnel by nature are docile to the authorities (Except in war), as has been
grilled among them to be disciplined and obedient! In fact, it will not be
outrageous to say, majority of them, specially the officer class, are
sycophants! This quality becomes inherent into them, as promotion in a strict
pyramid structure, demands such quality and even “officially” inculcates into
them in name of loyalty, which is recorded into their ACRs every year or less
than that, if the recording officer changes! This brings ambition into their
better halves and some level of sycophancy in them also, very clearly visible
in the official parties!
I heard many talks by these personnel, including jawans from
all services, who were eager to convey their feelings to the rest at Jantar
Mantar. Most of them had voted BJP, as there is(Or was) a general feeling that
this party and RSS was for the country and as such pro Armed Forces, but now
felt betrayed and talked against BJP. By any chance they were not favouring
Congress or even AAP, which they said are for the “Bureaucrats” as opposed to
the Armed Forces and some even mentioned the “Ruling class”!
Unity among Jawans & Officers (Who are forced to retire
at younger age, compared to their civilian partners) was unique in this
protest, as both saw opportunity, for a substantial rise in their pension and
regular revision, to enable them to live a respectable and decent life, in a
world where inflation and unemployment is natural!
Incidentally, Jawans are scared of officers in all 4 services
(4th one is Coast Guard) and even loath them, which is visible more
distinctly in recent times! I noticed an incident, where blood was needed to an
officers’ wife, and same was circulated in nearby units, but not a single jawan
offered himself, while in another case, blood was needed for a jawan, dozens of
them volunteered!
This was sensed by
BJP and quickly, they erected another tent, just diagonally opposite to the present
group demanding OROP, and on banner they wrote “Jawan, Havaldar, JCO”, demanded
equal pay to that of officers and OROP! They claim, their sacrifices are more
than that of officers and deserve better compensation! On the day, when Defence
Minister announced OROP on 05 Sep, 2015, they were the ones, who distributed
sweets and announced end of movement but continued, when they saw other group
led by General Satbir Singh continuing movement for the implementation of all clauses!
Government’s OROP excluded those who had taken Pre Mature
Retirement (They called it VRS, without any scheme) after 15/20 years of
service due various reasons(An estimate says they are 40% of total retired
personnel, that is, veterans)! Though, later, PM Modi announced, that those who
were “forced” to retire prematurely, will also get OROP! His assurance lacked
clarity, yet was welcomed by both factions but now they want it in writing! It
further said, next review will be after 5 years that meant, till 5 years, One
Rank One Pension will go for toss!! There are many other anomalies in promises
and declaration!
Whatever the logic for OROP, denied by the politicians,
based on the recommendations of bureaucrats, was accepted by the previous
government and now promulgated(Yet to come in writing) by the present one, has
only intensified the discontent of veterans and even in serving officers and
Jawans, as they are sympathetic to their retired brothers and see their own
future!
Further delay is
dangerous but same time, if one visits Jantar Mantar, and hears them, one
realises how offended are these personnel, helpless as well and many of them
will like to join politics, not part of any existing political party, but
create a new one but they know, they will not be successful due lack of number
and cohesiveness! They lack any
revolutionary binding ideology!
A people’s party, working for a people’s democracy, must
understand the sensitiveness of this commotion; veterans are not a spent force
but capable of starting a new fire among the serving ones. Most of them belong
to peasants’ family and middle class of rural and urban India! They are
politically naïve and lack any class consciousness, as trained and desired by
the ruling class but have latent force!
This issue must be handled carefully and keep the military
(A necessary evil, but useful for the ruling class and nation in present time,
as most disciplined and potent force) under control! We have bad examples in
our neighbour and one does hear of desirability of Military Rule, which is not
at all desirable from any angle!
