Respected Noble citizens of Bharat,
Jai Hind.
It was thanks to Shri BS Yediyurappa, the then Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, who on 6 July 2008 on the steps of the Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore, on culmination of ‘March for Justice’ by Military Veterans, most graciously announced the setting up of a National Military Memorial at Bangalore, near the Raj Bhawan.
Credit must also go in equal measure to Shri Rajiv Chandrasekhar, presently the dynamic Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology and Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, who in July 2008, as MP (Rajya Sabha) from Karnataka, played a crucial role in the setting up of the National Military Memorial at Bangalore, for he was close to Shri BS Yediyurappa; and was able to convince the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka of the need to set up a National Military Memorial at Bangalore.
The Foundation Stone for the National Military Memorial at Bangalore was laid on 10 Feb 2009 by Shri Rameshwar Thakur, the then Governor of Karnataka; and soon the construction of the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, began. Unfortunately, with frequent changes in Govt in the State, the progress on setting up the the National Military Memorial at Bangalore, went into a limbo. A classic example is that of the ‘Veera Gallu’, a 66 feet tall monolithic granite Stupa representing the noble souls of 22000 brave soldiers who laid down their lives in various wars the country has fought since Independence and in Counter-Insurgency Operations in J&K and in the States in the North-East.
Though the ‘Veera Gallu’ had been carved, cut & chiseled and ready as early as in 2015; it took four years for the State Govt to conclude a contract to finally move the Veera Gallu from the Quarry site to the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, in 2019. The Veera Gallu having been installed at National Military Memorial, Bangalore, in 2019, it has taken another four years on the part of the State Govt to think of having the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, inaugurated. Finally, the Govt of Karnataka decided to have the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, inaugurated at 5.30 PM on 14 Feb 2023 by laying of wreaths at the Veera Gallu by Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and other Dignitaries.
A gathering of over 100 Ex-Servicemen and a dozen Veer Naaris, ie. widows of Soldiers who have laid down their lives for the Country, whose husband’s names stand etched on the granite slabs in the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, had assembled for the event at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, as early as 3.30 PM on 14 Feb 2023, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri of India. It was around 3.30 PM when the Director, Karnataka Rajya Sainik Welfare & Resettlement announced that the inaugural function has been cancelled by the State Govt, as Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri would not be coming as planned.
What a shame. It is agreed that Politicians and Ministers are a busy lot. But for Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri having agreed to inaugurate the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, at 5.30 PM on 14 Feb 2023; and NOT turn up is unpardonable. It is an act of sacrilege. This act of Shri Rajnath Singh in not turning up at the inaugural function is a reflection of the mindset of Politicians in India who have scant or no regard or respect for:

1. Soldiers who lay down their lives for the Country;
2. Ex-Servicemen who have given their prime of their youth to the Nation; and
3. Widows of Soldiers who have laid down their lives for the Country in Wars and in Counter-Insurgency Operations in J&K and in the States of the North-East.
   Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri by failing to turn up at the inaugural function at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, has:
4. Not only insulted the Veera Gallu representing the Noble Souls & memory of 22000 Soldiers who laid down their lives for the Country; but has also, belittled their sacrifice.
5. Insulted the Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naaris who had gathered at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, awaiting his arrival.
   One ought not to forget that, it was the same Shri Rajnath Singh, who in his earlier avatar as the Home Minister, had ordered the goons of Delhi Police to launch a brutal lathi charge on Ex-Servicemen aged 75-85 years who were on ‘Fast for Justice’ at the Jantar Mantar on 14 Aug 2015. The goons of Delhi Police not only assaulted the aged Ex-Servicemen; but also tore their shirts by plucking their Medals proudly worn by them on their shirts. One has never witnessed such brutality on Ex-Servicemen, ever before. One must congratulate the Modi Govt for exhibiting such care & concern for Ex-Servicemen.
   We, the Military Veterans Karnataka, have decided not to attend any inaugural function at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, in case Shri Rajnath Singh decides to come again to inaugurate the National Military Memorial, Bangalore.
   Regards,
   Col Rajan
   Convenor,
   Military Veterans Karnataka
   PS: Please find below a video clip of my expression of anger & anguish once it was announced that Shri Rajnath Singh, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, would not be coming and the inaugural function is cancelled

click to open vedio below

col Rajan Vedio