Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)

Kundapur, Sep 5: Lokatantra Senani Sangh, an all-India body, has noted that those who fought against the imposition of the state of emergency in the country in 1975 are being paid a monthly pension of Rs 25,000 each by Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh government, Rs 13,200 by Rajasthan government, Rs 12,000 by Gujarat while Haryana government pays Rs 10,000. The Sangh has demanded for a similar facility in Karnataka.

The Sangh says that the chief minister B S Yediyurappa was approached for the pension through MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and Mangaluru MLA Vedavyas Kamth in the past, and the chief minister had promised to sanction the same. The Sangh said that the promise could not be met because of coronavirus problems. It feels that if the pension is arranged soon, the hard work put in by the fighters will get suitably rewarded.

Altogether 181 from the district had fought against the emergency and eight among them have died. In Udupi, names of 27 fighters could be collected. The Sangh has been trying to find out names of other fighters as well. These people fought against emergency and were sentenced under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act and Defence India Rules.

Chandrashekhar Gattigar, district secretary of the Sangh, said that the Sangh has collected photos, Aadhar cards, evidence for undergoing jail term etc. He says the fighters who are old aged, will get some relief if the pension is sanctioned as early as possible. State vice president of the Sangh, Narayan Gatty, said that the fight against emergency should be considered as the second freedom struggle, and pension should be granted. He said that everyone fought for the country and not for pension, but hoped that if they get pension at this advanced age, they will get some support for their life.