Defence Ministry responds to Harsh Dev’s petition on posthumous award to martyr Capt Tushar Mahajan

STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Responding to Harsh Dev’s petition for acknowledgement of supreme sacrifice made by Martyr Capt. Tushar Mahajan on 21st February, 2016 in Pulwama and grant of gallantry award, the Union Ministry of Defence has stated that it has set the process in motion under due intimation to the petitioner Harsh Dev Singh.
Singh in his petition had sought the naming of Udhampur Railway Station after Caption Tushar Mahajan who laid down his life in 21st February in Pampore encounter while fighting for his nation. He had further sought conferment of national award upon the Martyr.
The Defence Ministry in a letter to J and K State Chief Secretary with a copy to Harsh Dev Singh has called upon the State Government to consider the proposal mooted by the Panther Party leader and to make an official recommendation in the case if it was deemed justified by the State Government. The Defence Ministry has further conveyed to Harsh Dev that action for grant of gallantry award to martyr Caption Tushar had also been initiated. Pertinent to mention that Harsh Dev had approached the Defence Ministry New Delhi with a petition in March 2016 under proper receipt seeking recognition by the Union Govt. of the great sacrifice made by the national hero of district Udhampur while fighting against the enemies of the country. The petition read as under: “This pertains to the supreme sacrifice made by proud son of the soil Captain Tushar Mahajan, R/o Udhampur district Udhampur who achieved martyrdom while fighting the enemies of the nation on February 21 at Pampore in Pulwama district of Kashmir, J&K state. The brave heart of 9 Para SF who fought till his last breath for his nation has made not only his native land but the whole nation proud. The people of not only Udhampur but the youngmen all across the state have been persistently urging upon the Govt. of India to recognize and acknowledge the supreme sacrifices of the youth icon who valued national flag and national honour more than his life. There is a massive campaign and most genuine demand in the social media and elsewhere for naming the Udhampur Railway station after Captain Tushar Mahajan. The fulfillment of the said demand could be one of the befitting tributes to the said National Hero who laid down his life at a very young age of 26.
It is further submitted that while the GOI has been announcing Ashok Chakras, Shaurya Chakras and other bravery awards to the martyrs in various other states which is laudable but the supreme sacrifices made by the brave Dogras of Jammu region have unfortunately gone unacknowledged. The GOI needs to further appreciate that Dogras have played paramount role in upholding the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the nation and in fighting and combating successfully the nefarious designs of the secessionist and anti national forces. The naming of Udhampur Railway Station after Captain Tushar Mahajan and conferment of National Award upon him would therefore be an apt recognition of Dogra valour and pride”. Harsh regretted the despicable apathy and disregard shown by the BJP-PDP Govt. towards the supreme sacrifice of the Dogra Martyr as it had failed to make any official recommendation in this regard to the Union Govt. as was evident from Defence Ministry letter. He deplored that while all other state Govts. had acknowledged the sacrifices of their valiant soldiers with cash awards, gallantry awards and SRO 43 benefits, the J and K Govt. had shamelessly neglected to pay the much needed tributes to the said national hero who laid down his life at a very young age for the honour of mother land.