The families of the December 13 victims on Wednesday said that first they were dishonoured by the Government and now they are maligning us. After surrendering the medals at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Wednesday, the widows expressed their anger over the statement of Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil. The Minister came into the line of fire due to his remarks in Parliament that some political forces have instigated the family members of the martyrs.
"In what capacity did he pass such remarks for the family of men who sacrificed their lives to save politicians like him. Humne apna santan khoya hai aur kisi ke behkaway mein humein aane ki jarurat nahin hain. (We have lost our kin and we won’t be influenced by anybody.)
"We are proud that they died fighting the terrorists who had attacked Parliament. But the Government has politicised even the orders of the Supreme Court. First they should hang Afzal immediately and then the Home Minister should seek an apology from the family members of Parliament attack martyrs," said 70-year-old Chandro Devi, mother of Delhi Police Head Constable Om Prakash, who died during the Parliament attack.
All the members had gathered at the India Gate to share some moments reminiscing their sons, husbands and even the wife of one of them. CRPF personnel Kamlesh Kumari’s husband Avdesh Kumar also joined them.
The list of 10 medals included three Ashok Chakras and five Kirti Charkras, which were returned to the President’s office at Rashtrapati Bhawan in the morning. The family members carried placards at the Rashtrapati Bhawan forecourt demanding Afzal’s execution.
They were joined by members and children of the families of two CPWD gardeners and a television news cameraman, who were also killed in the attack. The families, led by All-India Anti-Terrorist Front chief MS Bitta, handed over the medals duly wrapped with flowers to a Rashtrapati Bhawan official and also gave a memorandum saying the medals should be placed in the National Museum till Afzal, convicted in the case, is hanged.
Coming down heavily on the Government’s attitude regarding Afzal’s execution, they said Ghulam Nabi Azad started it all and now the latest to add to the list of sympathisers is none other than the Home Minister himself. " Aur kitna apman sahein hum. We did not order the execution of Afzal. It is the court that has ordered it. But this vile politics over his death sentence, the execution of which is delayed, has led us to return these medals," said Ganga Devi, widow of Sub Inspector Nanak Chand of Delhi Police.
Even after losing his father in the attack when he was just four, Gaurav, son of Rajya Sabha Assistant JP Yadav who also died in the attack, said that he still desires to become an officer like his dad. While his brother cheered Vande Matram carrying a tricolour in his hand, Garima wiped the tears of their mother at the India Gate lawns. Garima was just eight-month-old when Yadav fell victim to the terrorist bullets.
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