Dehradun, November 4

Activists of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) held a symbolic funeral procession of Union Minister VK Singh over his statement on deceased ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal here today. The protesters said Singh should apologise for his statement.The protesters, led by NSUI state president Shyam Singh Chauhan, held a procession that passed through different routes of the city. Chauhan said, “Soldiers strive round the clock to safeguard the international boundaries but the Union minister tried to defame an ex-serviceman who ended his life for his dues.”“It’s the matter of proud that there is a huge representation from Uttarakhand in the defence forces. NSUI activists will not tolerate insult to army personnel,” he said.It may be recalled that after Grewal committed suicide in New Delhi, VK Singh had said, “Though OROP is said to be the reason behind the extreme step, no one knows the exact cause. We don’t know what his mental state was.” Singh had also said that the deceased was a Congress worker, who contested Sarpanch elections. — TNS