Why death of Agniveer Amritpal Singh has trigerred a row

A newly-inducted Agniveer’s demise has caused a massive uproar in the country, with Opposition parties slamming the central government and the Indian Army for not providing a guard of honour during his last rites.

Agniveer Amritpal Singh passed away in Jammu and Kashmir on 11 October.

This has raised serious questions about the treatment of Agniveer recruits in comparison to other soldiers and the policy governing military honours for fallen soldiers.

The Army later justified the move by citing Singh’s self-inflicted gunshot injury and that such deaths are not entitled to military funerals as per the existing policy.

Let’s take a closer look.

The death and funeral

Amritpal Singh (19), a soldier in a Jammu and Kashmir Rifles battalion, died on Wednesday while he was on sentry duty.

The Indian Army confirmed the demise in a statement that read, “In an unfortunate incident, Agniveer Amritpal Singh died while on sentry duty in Rajouri Sector, due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury.”

According to the statement, Singh’s body was transported in a civilian ambulance, accompanied by army personnel. He was cremated without a military guard of honour in his native village, Mansa district in Punjab.

‘Death of Agniveer Amritpal Singh on 11 October 23’ In an unfortunate incident, Agniveer Amritpal Singh died while on sentry duty in Rajouri Sector, due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury. A Court of Inquiry to ascertain more details is in progress. Mortal remains of the… pic.twitter.com/AfqddRYjrS

— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2023

The statement added, “Mortal remains of the deceased, accompanied by one Junior Commissioned Officer and four other Ranks, were transported in a Civil Ambulance hired by the Unit of the Agniveer. Accompanying Army personnel also attended the last rites. The cause of death being a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with the existing policy.”

Also read: No Nepali Gorkhas recruited to Indian Army for a year: How forces are being affected

Strong reactions from the Opposition

The lack of a guard of honour at the last rites of the young Agniveer prompted strong reactions from political leaders.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann was shocked by the incident and pledged to raise a strong objection with the BJP-led central government.

According to news agency ANI, he affirmed his AAP administration’s unwavering commitment to honouring martyred soldiers and further promised to provide Rs 1 crore (approximately 121,000 US dollars) to the deceased’s family in accordance with the state’s policy.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha slammed the Centre, by saying, “Shame on the central government that doesn’t honour martyrs. Merely taking photos and distributing sweets on Diwali doesn’t suffice.” “If we truly want to honour soldiers, they should be given a dignified farewell with full military honours after their martyrdom. If genuine respect is to be shown, pensions and compensation for their families should not discontinued under the disguise of cost-cutting. Instead, it demands standing with their families during their moments of sorrow,” he said according to NDTV.

He also said, “When a political leader dies in this country, then you see that a mourning day is announced and memorials are built. However, if an Agniveer dies in the line of duty, then they are not given that status, they are not even given a guard of honour.”

VIDEO | “When a political leader dies in this country, then you see that a mourning day is announced and memorials are built. However, if an Agniveer dies in the line of duty, then they are not given that status, they are not even given a guard of honour,” says AAP MP… pic.twitter.com/HRMuqfDZNl

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 15, 2023

Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring expressed disappointment by questioning whether a soldier’s life was less valuable for being an Agniveer recruit. He emphasised the need for the family to ask the neighbourhood Punjab Police to offer a guard of honour, along with other political people.

Former Union Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal called for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention and requested directives to ensure all fallen soldiers receive military honours, as per Wion News.

SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also criticised the Punjab government for not sending a state-level dignitary to pay respects to the deceased soldier and also called for a more dignified farewell. He claimed that former chief minister Parkash Singh Ji Badal would have acted differently in a similar situation.

According to the report, party leader Bikram Singh Majithia campaigned for the withdrawal of the Agniveer scheme and regularize all soldiers hired under it.

Also read: Explained: What lies ahead for India’s new Agniveers after their four-year tenure

Army’s justification

On Sunday, the Indian Army cleared the air by releasing a statement on X. It said that there have been some misunderstandings and misrepresentation of facts on the issue.

ADG-PI Indian Army said, “It is a grave loss to the family and the Indian Army that Agniveer Amritpal Singh committed suicide by shooting himself while on sentry duty. In consonance with the existing practice, the mortal remains, after conduct of medico-legal procedures, were transported under Army arrangements along with an escort party to the native places for the last rites.”

Unfortunate Death of Agniveer Amritpal Singh on 11 Oct 2023.

There has been some misunderstanding and misrepresentation of facts related to unfortunate death of Agniveer Amritpal Singh.

Further to the initial information given out by White Knight Corps on 14 Oct 2023,… pic.twitter.com/6rhaOu3hN8

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) October 15, 2023

The Army added the Armed Forces do not differentiate between the soldiers who joined prior to or after the implementation of the Agnipath scheme as regards entitled benefits and protocols.

“Unfortunate instances of death arising out of suicide/self-inflicted injury, irrespective of the type of entry, are accorded due respect by the Armed Forces along with deep and enduring empathy with the family. Such cases, however, are not entitled to military funerals as per the extant Army Order of 1967, in vogue. Policy on the subject has been consistently followed ever since, without any discrimination,” it said.

“As per data held, there has been an average yearly loss ranging between 100 – 140 soldiers since 2001 where deaths occurred due to suicides / self-inflicted injuries, and Military Funeral in such cases was not accorded. The disbursement of financial assistance/relief, as per entitlement, is given due priority including immediate financial relief for the conduct of funerals,” the statement further said.

The Army concluded, “Such unfortunate instances of loss bear heavy on the family and the Forces as a fraternity. During such times, it is important and incumbent on the society to uphold the respect, privacy and dignity of the family while empathising with them in their moment of grief. Armed Forces are known for adherence to the policies and protocols and will continue to do so as hithertofore. The Indian Army requests support of all sections of the society while it follows its established protocols.”

Also read: Explained: The new graduation programme designed for India’s Agniveers

All about Agniveers

On 14 June, the Centre approved a recruitment scheme named “Agnipath” for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. The selected youth under this scheme are known as “Agniveers.”

The scheme allows patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the Army for a period of four years.

Agniveers are given an attractive customised monthly package along with Risk and Hardship allowances as applicable in the three services, according to The Statesman.

On completion of the engagement period, they will also be paid a one-time “SevaNidhi” package which comprises their contribution including accrued interest thereon and matching contribution from the government equal to the accumulated amount of their contribution including interest.

Upon the completion of four years, they will get an opportunity to join the regular cadre and over 25 per cent of them will be selected through another recruitment process.

As per The Hindu, the Army has so far recruited 40,000 Agniveers in two batches. The first batch has already joined the service after the training at the regimental centres.

A collection of Suicide prevention helpline numbers are available here. Please reach out if you or anyone you know is in need of support. The All-India helpline number is: 022-27546669

With inputs from agencies