A day after a political tussle erupted over the suicide of a former Rajputana Rifles Subedar Ram Kishan Grewal, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Thursday urged political parties not to indulge in politics over the issues involving the armed forces.
"Politics should not be done over the armed forces of the country," Rijiju told reporters.
Ram Kishan Grewal consumed poison on Tuesday demanding immediate implementation of the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme.
"I am urging that whoever has to say anything, should say after thinking properly," the minister said.
The Congress, on the other hand, has hit back, saying that the party would not shy away from indulging in politics for the respect of our armed forces.
“Yes, we are ready to do politics to protect Ramkishan Grewal's family and for the respect of our armed forces,” Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, adding that the Modi government should apologise to the Indian Armed Forces and Ramkishan Grewal's family.
Earlier, scores of politicians including Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and TMC leader Derek O'Brien attended the last rites of retired armyman Grewal at his village in Bhiwani in Haryana.
