A group of decorated war veterans and ex-servicemen staged a protest today in the heart of the capital, voicing strong opposition to the recent ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan. The veterans claimed that the current geopolitical situation presented a “strategic opportunity” to reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and declared that calling for peace now was a “historic mistake.”
Assembled near India Gate, symbolic of national pride and military sacrifice, the protest included veterans from the 1971 war, the Kargil conflict, and counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir. Holding placards reading “No Ceasefire Without Justice” and “PoK Is Ours — Take It Back,” the veterans expressed frustration with what they termed “political hesitation.”
“We Did Not Fight to Watch Silence in the Face of Provocation”
Colonel (Retd.) Arvind Rathore, a Vir Chakra awardee who served during the 1999 Kargil War, spoke passionately at the gathering:
“Our soldiers have sacrificed their lives for every inch of our territory. Today, when the enemy is internally weak and internationally cornered, our leadership wants peace? This is the right time to take decisive action and reclaim what is rightfully ours — PoK.”
The veterans criticized the government’s announcement of the ceasefire agreement, citing recent cross-border infiltration attempts, drone activities, and continued terror support from across the Line of Control (LoC). Many see the ceasefire as a one-sided gesture that benefits only Pakistan.
Public Sentiment Mirrors Veteran Frustration
The protest drew a modest but vocal crowd of civilians, many of whom echoed the veterans’ sentiments. Several family members of soldiers martyred in Kashmir were also present.
Priya Chauhan, daughter of a martyred Army Major, said:
“We want peace, yes — but not at the cost of pride, justice, and national security. How can we stay silent when our enemies have occupied our land for decades?”
Strategic Concerns and Timing
Military analysts have noted increased tensions in PoK due to local discontent, international isolation of Pakistan, and India’s bolstered border infrastructure.
Brigadier (Retd.) S.K. Menon added:
“There is discontent in PoK. Our military morale is high, and global sympathy is not with Pakistan right now. This was the best possible moment in decades to press forward. A ceasefire, at this time, sends the wrong message.”
Government Response
The Defence Ministry has not officially responded to the protest, though sources suggest that backchannel diplomacy and international pressure were behind the ceasefire call. A senior official, speaking off the record, maintained that “India seeks lasting peace, not perpetual hostility,” and that military options remain “on the table if provoked.”
Conclusion
The veterans’ protest has ignited a broader debate across the country — one that balances the cost of war against the demands of justice, territorial integrity, and national pride. As the political leadership pushes for diplomatic calm, the voices of those who once stood at the front lines of war remind the nation that for some, peace is not simply the absence of conflict — it is the presence of honour.
