Kargil hero, Rashtriya Rifle Soldier Continues to Fight for Justice

Kargil hero, Rashtriya Rifle Soldier Continues to Fight for Justice

Mangalore Today News Network

By Ramya BN

Belthangady, July 26, 2012: The government’s apathetic attitude has forced a Kargil warrior to think about joining the Naxals.

Chandappa D. S. of Kaniyur in Belthangady, a Rashtriya Rifles soldier who lost his leg fighting on the border of Jammu and Kashmir, is still waiting for a 4.5-acre plot, which the government promised him years ago. This frustrated soldier is living proof of the fact that the Indian government and the Indian public only pays lip service by celebrating Kargil Vijay Diwas in commemoration of the success of Operation Vijay on July 26, 1999, but are actually least bothered about the welfare of soldiers disabled in war. 

Chandappa had to return home when he lost his leg in the war and for the past 8 years, he has been waiting for the government to give him a 4.5-acre plot as he has no other means of livelihood. Although records exist that the government has given 4.5 acres to Chandappa, the soldier has not yet received any land. Fed up of fighting for his rights, he is now seriously contemplating joining the Naxals.

Chandappa served in the Indian Army for 14 years and was a Rashtriya Rifles soldier during the Kargil War of 1999. Although he played a role in fighting the country to win the war, he finds himself no means to fight against the corrupt forces in the Indian bureaucracy. 

When the government bestowed 4.5 acres of land on the soldier in 2004, a landlord went to court claiming that the specific land belongs to him and not held by the government. However, the local court ruled against the landlord and stated that the land belongs to the government. Later, the High Court of Karnataka also ruled that the land belongs to the government and must be given to Chandappa. But the Belthangady Taluk Office has ignored the court order completely, as a result of which Chandappa is deprived of the land that rightfully belongs to him. 

Hailing from a middle class family, Chandappa has no assets and no source of income except the pension that the government gives him. Besides, he has a son who goes to school. Although the central government gave him a compensation of Rs. 1 lakh and the government of Jammu and Kashmir gave him Rs. 75,000, he had to spend most of this money for the treatment of his injured leg. The government of Karnataka has not given him any compensation so far. He has been running from pillar to post ever since the land was granted to him in 2004, but neither the district administration nor the state government has cared to inquire into the matter.

Is this the way to celebrate Kargil Vijayotsava?