In the early morning hours of July 7, 1999, a battalion that was entrusted with the job of clearing infiltrators from Point 4875 in the Kargil mountains, was trapped by heavy enemy fire.
Base camp was apprised of their position. 25 year old Captain Vikram Batra was running a fever of 104. He had already played his part in reconquering Point 5140, 4750 from the Pakistani infiltrators and was injured as well in the operation of Point 5140. He could have stayed back, but Vikram insisted on going to the rescue of his fellow soldiers.
Nicknamed ‘Sher Shah’ for his exemplary courage, Vikram led his troop of men to the rescue and successfully captured Point 4875, losing his life in the process.
During the rescue attempt, he pushed aside his Subedar saying, "Tu baal-bacchedar hain, hat ja peeche."(You have children, step aside). His last words were, "Jai Mata Di," a Punjabi creed referring to Durgadevi, the Hindu Goddess of Victory. Captain Vikram was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.
Cutting to the present, we have the MP from Amalapuram, Ravindra Babu who in a debate on national television says that people join the army mainly for free liquor, free meat and free holidays and not to serve the nation.
To date, no action has been initiated by anyone against this MP for his remarks. Is this what young patriots like Vikram have laid down their lives for? Why is this MP still allowed to continue in office and politics? Why does his Party not disown him?
If he is allowed to get away Scott-free, it would be the ultimate insult to the men guarding the borders and our lives.
