SAVIOUR OF KASHMIR’S 117TH JAYANTI
On June 14, 2016, we commemorate the 117th birth anniversary of Brigadier Rajinder Singh. Born on June 14, 1899, in Village Bagoona, which is now named after him as Rajinderpura, he hailed from the Samba District, located 30 kilometers east of Jammu. To honor his memory, the state government has established a beautiful park in Rajinderpura. On this day in 1999, despite the Kargil War at its peak, George Fernandez, the Defence Minister of the NDA government, inaugurated the celebrations of Brig Rajinder Singh’s Birth Centenary in Village Rajinderpura. During this time, the bodies of fallen soldiers were being brought down from the Kargil heights and sent to various parts of the country, including Jammu, the Dogra Land. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the events in 1947, as Dogras have always been at the forefront of defending the country, whether in the northern borders of the State in Gilgit, Baltistan, Ladakh, or even in Tibet, where General Zorawar Singh, the Napoleon of India, sacrificed his life, adding Ladakh to the Jammu Raj. He extended the Jammu State of Maharaja Gulab Singh across the Himalayas and went on to conquer Gilgit-Baltistan, expanding the state’s frontiers to Chitral and beyond, nearly reaching Afghanistan, touching Russia and China at the point often referred to as ‘Where Three Empires Meet’ – the most strategic area of the continent and indeed the world today. Such is the contribution of the Dogras to the State’s history.
George Fernandez, during the inauguration of the Birth Centenary celebrations, shared that when he was invited by Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the then Chief Minister, to inaugurate the event, he searched for a book on Brig Rajinder Singh to study before delivering his inaugural address. However, to his disappointment, he found no books written about him at NDA Khadakwasla, Infantry School Mhow, USI Library, or the Defence Library. Nevertheless, he made a promise that a book would be written about Brig Rajinder Singh, and the Ministry of Defence would undertake this project. Additionally, in response to a delegation from the locals of Jammu and ex-servicemen, who requested the upgradation of Brig Rajinder Singh’s MVC (Maha Vir Chakra) to PVC (Param Vir Chakra), George Fernandez acknowledged the significance of Brig Rajinder Singh’s sacrifice, which he himself described as essential in changing the history and geography of the continent. He mentioned that the British had promised Kashmir to Pakistan because they wanted to retain their hold on Gilgit-Baltistan, as a show of their power, since they had lost their influence to the emerging world powers of the United States, Russia, and China. Responding to the request, George Fernandez assured the delegation that Brig Rajinder Singh’s MVC would be upgraded to PVC, and the necessary formalities would be completed in the Ministry soon after his returned. However, despite reminders to the Army Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence, the paperwork remains pending.
When the present Defence Minister, Mr. Parrikar, visited Jammu on May 23, 2015, a delegation of people from Jammu, including ex-servicemen, met him and presented a list of demands, which included the relocation of JAK Rifles from Jabalpur to Jammu, the establishment of an ordnance factory in Jammu, and most importantly, the upgradation of Brig Rajinder Singh’s MVC to PVC. However, none of these demands have been fulfilled thus far. Consequently, the people of Jammu feel a sense of discrimination, as not a single demand made to the Defence Minister has been fulfilled.
On this day, we will once again send a memorandum and hope that with a change in the government, the promise of fair treatment and the removal of discrimination will be realized for all people in all regions. Let us hope that this fair treatment begins with the upgradation of Brig Rajinder Singh’s MVC to PVC. Brig Rajinder Singh, who has already passed away, gave his best without seeking any recognition. He obeyed a simple order from the ruler to defend Uri to the last man. This order itself is a unique military order, unparalleled in the annals of military history, consisting of only 55 words. Despite being wounded and no vehicles being available at Buniyar at 2 o’clock on the night of October 26-27, 1947, when a couple of last men offered to carry him on their backs, he refused. He told them to go and establish another defensive position at Seri ahead of Baramulla to save the valley, as ordered by the ruler. He stated that he would be the last man to prevent the Pakistani and tribal forces from advancing through that road towards Baramulla. True to his words, he became the last man standing. He was wounded, with both his legs completely shattered, but he held a pistol in his hand. That was the last time he was seen. The last officer who met him asked if he had any message for his family – his wife and his five daughters and a five-year-old son. He replied, “Send them to Jammu, nothing more.”
This was Brig Rajinder Singh, the Commander in Chief of the State Forces at the time when the state was an independent country from August 15 to October 26, 1947. In fact, he saved that independent country and enabled Maharaja Hari Singh to accede to India. He became the recipient of independent India’s first Gallantry Award. Unfortunately, for an entire year, there was no citation or recommendation for his award. It is a matter of unfortunate history that neither Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah nor Jawaharlal Nehru wanted to give him credit or recognition because doing so would have meant crediting Maharaja Hari Singh, whom they planned to remove from power. Maharaja Hari Singh was banished in April 1949, as the powers-that-be had intended, resulting in immense suffering for the Dogras and the Jammu region. Brig Rajinder Singh, leading his forces, made supreme sacrifices that remain unparalleled in the anals of world history. You will be surprised to know that the Dogra Army of just about 8000 suffered 1990 killed in the 14 months war of J&K while the Indian Army of about 2 Lakh suffered only 1103 (History of J&K Operations 1947-48, MOD, GOI, Page No 379). All their names are enshrined in the great memorial ‘Balidan Stamb,’ erected by the Indian Army at Bahu Wali Rakh, near the University of Jammu. This memorial is a tribute to all those who laid down their lives, not only military personnel but also paramilitary forces, state police, and even civilians. The names of those who have sacrificed their lives are continually being added to the memorial. Unfortunately, the memorial is not being properly utilized or open to the people of India.
Despite promises made during the Birth Centenary celebrations, not much progress has been made. However, a few decisions were taken during that time, including the establishment of the Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium at Jammu University, the naming of the road from Jewel Chowk to Ranbir Canal Head as ‘Brig Rajinder Marg,’ and the upgrading and beautification of the park at the canal. Additionally, Jammu University initiated a Memorial Lecture, but after a few years, it has not been held for the past twenty-two years. This kind of attitude towards our heroes by our own universities and people reflects poorly on us. If we don’t show respect to our own heroes, how can we expect others to do so? It is a sorry state of affairs. It is also affecting the psyche of the Dogras now even after the Abrogation of 370.
However, it was later decided that the memorial at Brig Rajinder Singh’s native place, Rajinderpura, would be managed by the government when Samba was upgraded to the status of a district. Samba, known as the District of the Braves, has unique records, such as a village named ‘Gurah Salathia’ that produced three real brothers who served in the Army simultaneously – one as an Army Commander, one as a Corps Commander, and another as a Major General – a world record mentioned in the Limca Book of Records. No other Army in the world has had three real brothers serving simultaneously. Additionally, Suchani village is creating another unique record by producing six Generals all after 1947. This is the story of the Dogra Land of the Shivaliks, land of the brave. We salute them and the land they come from. Yet Jammu and particularly the Ex-Servicemen are not being taken care of.