Please listen to the following Statement by Col SS Rajan, Convenor, Military Veterans Karnataka, delivered at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, on 18 February 2023

STATEMENT OF COL SS RAJAN, CONVENOR, MILITARY VETERANS KARNATAKA, AT THE NATIONAL MILITARY MEMORIAL,BANGALORE,
ON 18 FEB 2023

Noble Citizens of Bharat,
Jai Hind.
This statement of mine today, 18 Feb 2023, is in continuation of my emotional outburst on 14 Feb 2023, against Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, for not turning up at the National Military Memorial at Bangalore, for its inauguration by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu, which you can see behind us, a 66 feet monolithic Granite Stupa, symbolizing the ‘Atma’ of 22,000 Veer Yoddha’s, ie. Brave Soldiers, Sailors & Air Warriors who laid down their lives for the Country; and whose names are etched in black granite slabs at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore.
It is when Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, having accepted the Invitation of our Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to come and inaugurate the National Military Memorial at Bangalore by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu, did not turn up; but also failed, to convey his regrets & apologies for not turning up for the event, that a number of Veer Naaris, ie Widows of Soldiers who had laid down their lives for the Nation literally wept at the base of the black granite slabs where their husband’s names are etched.
It is on seeing the tears of pain & anguish of the Veer Naaris and the indignation amongst the Ex-Servicemen who had gathered at the base of the Veer Gallu; that resulted in my emotional outburst against the Raksha Mantri.
I would like to remind our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri that functions at War or Military Memorials are solemn functions; and one not to be trifled with; and please do not take us Ex-Servicemen and Veer Naaris for granted.
Four days have since passed and it is surprising that there has been no word from the spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence either to convey the reason as to why the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri could not turn up for the inaugural function at the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, on 14 Feb 2023; or to convey his regrets for not having been able to come for the inaugural function of the National Military Memorial, Bangalore.
Shri Rajnath Singh, our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, having accepted the invitation of the Chief Minister of Karnataka, to inaugurate the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, by laying a wreath at the Veera Gallu; should have come at all cost; and in case he was unable to do so, on account of some pressing commitments, he should have asked the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to proceed to the National Military Memorial, Bangalore, alongwith his Cabinet colleagues and convey his deepest regrets & apologies to the Veer Naaris & Ex-Servicemen gathered at the National Military Memorial, for the inaugural function; and not stand on the formalities of seeing him off, etc. Had the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri done so, it would have greatly assuaged the hurt feelings of the Veer Naaris & Ex-Servicemen who had gathered at the base of the Veera Gallu; and there would have been no emotional outburst.
I would like to remind our Hon’ble Raksha Mantri that Veer Naaris and Ex-Servicemen ask for nothing; but, only expect to be treated with honour & dignity, which is his duty to do so.
We hope our Hon’ble Prime Minister would speak to the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri an take necessary action.
There appears to be certain vested interests inimical to National interests who wish to queer the pitch and spread a false narrative that Ex-Servicemen are against the Hon’ble Prime Minister. In response, we the Military Veterans Karnataka, emphatically state that we hold our Hon’ble Prime Minister in highest regard & esteem. 
Jai Hind.