For the second time today, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was detained after he met the family of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal, who allegedly committed suicide over the delay in implementation of the One Rank, One Pension (OROP).
Earlier today, Rahul was stopped close to the gates of the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and then taken to the Mandir Marg Police station.
A political storm has erupted over the development, as parties are making a beeline to meet the victims' family and are facing massive resistance from the Delhi Police, who are carting away the leaders in droves.
Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016
After Rahul and Sisodia, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was also detained by the police. The Delhi CM took to Twitter and wrote: "Formally detained by the police. No idea where they are taking me."
Very sad that one of our former jawans committed suicide. Unfortunate that @OfficeOfRG & @msisodia stopped from visiting bereaved family 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 2, 2016
They should be allowed. Our representative is on his way to Delhi 2/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 2, 2016
Meanwhile, expressing displeasure at the detention of Congress and Aam Aadmi Party leaders, the Trinamool Congress stated that its representative is on his way to the national capital to chime in the developments.
Taking to Twitter, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it was very sad that a former jawan committed suicide, adding that it was unfortunate that Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia were stopped from visiting the bereaved family.
"They should be allowed. Our representative is on his way to Delhi," she said.
#OROP should be kept away from politics, that will be better. Rahul Gandhi should not politicise this: VK Singh on #RahulGandhi pic.twitter.com/H1UB19zc59
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016
Amid outrage over the detention of Rahul and Sisodia, senior BJP leader VK Singh urged the Congress vice-president to keep OROP away from the politics, in nation's interest.
RGandhi detained at Mandir Marg PS for 'disruption of duty'after he wasn't allowed to enter RML hosp to meet ex-serviceman's family-MK Meena pic.twitter.com/bqtfShbuKe
— ANI (@ANI_news) November 2, 2016
As soon as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was updated about Sisodia being detained at the hospital gate, he took to Twitter and attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "insecurity". In his tweet, Kejriwal asked if it was right to "arrest" a minister who goes to pay his condolences to the family of an ex serviceman who had committed suicide.
Manish Sisodia detained? He had gone to meet family of deceased Ram Kishan ji. He is elected Dy CM. Whats wrong wid u Modiji? So insecure?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016
अगर अपने राज्य में किसी की मौत पर उप मुख्यमंत्री परिवार को सांत्वना देने जाए तो क्या उसे गिरफ़्तार किया जाएगा? गुंडागर्दी की हद है मोदी जी।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) November 2, 2016
Manish Sisodia tweeted that he had gone to the hospital to meet the kin of the ex servicemen who committed suicide and not to hold any protest. He further asked why he was detained when he had not committed any crime.
दिल्ली का उपमुख्यमंत्री अगर शोकग्रस्त सैनिक परिवार से मिले तो आपकी कानून व्यवस्था का खतरे में पड़ जाती है?
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016
ये कौन सी व्यवस्था हैं मोदी जी?
मुझे बताया गया है कि धारा 65 के तहत पुलिस बिना कोई कागज़ बनाए 23 घंटे तक हिरासत में रख सकती है।
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016
दिल्ली का उपमुख्यमंत्री अगर शोकग्रस्त सैनिक परिवार से मिले तो आपकी कानून व्यवस्था का खतरे में पड़ जाती है?
— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) November 2, 2016
ये कौन सी व्यवस्था हैं मोदी जी?
According to reports, 70-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide by consuming poison at a park in New Delhi.
Grewal's son Ram told ANI that before taking the big step, Grewal had called up his family and told them that he was doing so because the government had failed to fulfill the demands related to OROP. He also added that he is taking this step for the soldiers.
Before being detained, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi along with other Congress leaders were also stopped from entering the RML hospital.
Gandhi also took to Twitter to extend his condolences to the Grewal family. He also urged Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi that "OROP should be implemented in a meaningful way".
Let us show our gratitude to our brave soldiers not only through our words but also through our actions.My letter to the Hon. Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/8J1pLCs54N
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 29, 2016
I urge the PM once again: soldiers should not have to struggle to claim what is their due.OROP must be implemented in a meaningful way!
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 2, 2016
According to the Financial Express, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Commando Surinder Singh called the incident "unfortunate" and alleged that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre was indulging in politics over the Indian Army.
"A very unfortunate incident has taken place with this family. For the last one day, Grewal and 50 other ex-servicemen were on a strike. They wanted to present their memorandum to the Defence Minister. He had to wait for two days for the Defence Minister. When he was going to meet him, he faced many hurdles. In his memorandum he wrote that he is sacrificing his life for the nation and the soldiers," he told the media.