Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding The Death Of Gudia Due To Carelessness Of The Army And Selfishness Of ... on 24 February, 2006
> Title : Regarding the death of Gudia due to carelessness of the Army and selfishness of some Army officers.
SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): I would like to draw the attention of this House towards a very sad incident about the untimely demise of Gudia and ruining the life of her husband Arif Mohammed who was taken prisoner of war by Pakistani forces during the Kargil war. Gudiya received national attention because of personal humiliation. One has to understand the psychological reasons for Gudiya’s sufferings which ultimately resulted in the failure of her organ and death recently. All this has happened due to the fault of the Commanding Officer of the Army. As hon. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs is present here and was also Minister of State for Defence Affairs, I would like to draw the attention of the Government through this mention that recently an ex-Army Officer Brigadier R.P. Singh has alleged that because of the carelessness of the Army and selfishness of some Army officers, the family life of not only Arif and Gudiya but three other families have been affected. Ultimately Gudiya expired in prime youth at the age of 25. We have been informed that Arif Mohammed and his colleague Jagir Singh… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: Please conclude. After all it is only a small matter.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : I will come to the crux of the matter.… (Interruptions)
SHRI S.K. KHARVENTHAN (PALANI): Sir, this is an issue of national importance. … (Interruptions)
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Arif Mohammed and Jagir Singh, both were engaged in mine laying and breaching activities by the Army during the Kargil war, when they went missing. The Commanding Officer reported them as deserters wrongly… (Interruptions)
MR. CHAIRMAN: You put your demand. That is all. You want an enquiry. That is the only thing.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : No, the problem here is that they went missing and the Commanding Officer reported that they have deserted the Army. ‘Deserting the army’ and ‘taken as prisoner of war’ are two different things. The problem lies with the decision of the Army. It is because a promotion is held up if the Commanding Officer reports that his junior officers have been taken prisoners of war. If the Commanding Officer reports that the persons have deserted, after a certain time period, no action is taken against that Commanding Officer. He is allowed to sit for different promotional exams and this has happened after these two jawans were reported as missing. Here, the problem arises because C.O. mentioned that they have deserted the Army. You imagine the humiliation that the family of Arif Mohammed and family of Jagir Singh went through.
I would like to draw the attention of the Government to it. One aspect is about Gudiya. How much humiliation she had to suffer. But the other aspect is what action the Government is going to take against that Commanding Officer who reported these two persons as deserters. Whether adequate compensation in place of the humiliation they underwent is going to be given to those famililes?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI BIJOY HANDIQUE): Sir, I would bring the matter to the notice of the hon. Defence Minister.
SHRI B. MAHTAB : Thank you.
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEE RAMESH (KANAKAPURA): Mr. Chairman, Sir, many times in this Session I have been requesting the Chair to allow some special time to debate on these issues. गुड़िया तो मर गई। But what about the future of that child? Child is also going to face this emotional agony.
MR. CHAIRMAN: No, you have not given notice. It will not go on record. You have no chance. Your voice will not go on record.
… (Interruptions)
SHRIMATI TEJASWINI SEERAMESH : Sir, I am requesting some special debate should be allowed because the wives of the Army jawans are facing hard life. It is a question of women and children issue.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Madam, please give a notice for a discussion but not now.