TMC hits out at VK Singh’s remarks over ex-serviceman’s death

Trinamool Congress on Thursday described as “sad and terrible” the statement of Union Minister V K Singh over the alleged suicide of an ex-serviceman.

“The people listened to the statements of the minister.

The people will understand. It is totally sad statement.

Terrible,” TMC national spokesperson Derek O’Brien said.

O’Brien visited the native village of ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal in the northern Indian state of Haryana. The 70-year-old former soldier had allegedly committed suicide in Delhi on Wednesday over the vexed OROP issue.

Singh triggered a controversy when he said the “mental state” of the ex-serviceman needed to be probed before drawing conclusions about his extreme action. He went on to add that the deceased soldier was a Congress worker.

The TMC leader slammed the Modi government for stopping Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia from visiting the relatives of the ex-serviceman.

“They were going to meet the family. What was wrong in that? We are public representatives. As public representatives they were going to offer condolences,” he said.

The TMC leader said “the family of the ex-serviceman was very upset. They were treated very badly”.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had also on Wednesday criticised the move to prevent Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia from visiting the hospital.

Banerjee said, “What is happening? Unprecedented. A CM is detained in his own state. He cannot move about freely. Unacceptable”.