Years After Udaipur Major Mustafa Bohra's Sacrifice, Family Still 'Running from Office to Office' for Entitled Benefits

Udaipur- Claiming that the family of posthumous Shaurya Chakra awardee martyr Major Mustafa Bohra has been waiting for years to receive benefits guaranteed under Rajasthan government's policies for soldiers and gallantry awardees, former Acting District President of BJP Udaipur Rural, Virendra Singh Solanki, has submitted a detailed memorandum to the country's top constitutional and political leadership demanding immediate intervention.

The memorandum has been addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Rajasthan Minister for Soldiers' Welfare Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and Rajasthan Chief Secretary P. Srinivas.

Solanki has urged the authorities to ensure that the martyr's family receives all financial and non-financial benefits due under the Rajasthan Government's Kargil Package Scheme and the Shaurya Chakra Awardees Scheme, alleging that several eligible benefits remain pending despite clear policy provisions.

Major Mustafa Bohra laid down his life in the line of duty on October 21, 2022, while defending the nation. In recognition of his exceptional courage, dedication, and supreme sacrifice, President Droupadi Murmu posthumously conferred the Shaurya Chakra upon his family during the Defence Investiture Ceremony held in New Delhi on July 5, 2024.

Solanki stated that the gallantry award is not merely an honour for the martyr's family but a matter of pride for Mewar, Rajasthan, and the entire nation.

He argued that if families of gallantry award recipients are unable to receive benefits despite explicit government schemes and administrative orders, it raises serious questions about the functioning and sensitivity of the administration.

Allegation of Pending Cases in Government Departments

The memorandum alleges that several important cases relating to the martyr's family have remained pending before the Rajasthan Housing Board, the Udaipur Development Authority (UDA), and other administrative departments.

According to Solanki, despite clear provisions under the Kargil Package Scheme and the Shaurya Chakra Awardees Scheme, the concerned departments have failed to dispose of these matters within a reasonable time.

"If even the family of a Shaurya Chakra awardee has to struggle for years to obtain its lawful entitlements, it raises serious concerns regarding the government's commitment towards the welfare of martyrs' families," the memorandum states.

Solanki has requested Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma to appoint a special nodal officer to coordinate all pending matters related to the martyr's family.

He proposed that the officer be directed to review every pending case within 15 days and ensure that all legitimate demands are resolved in a time-bound manner. He also sought a comprehensive review of all financial and non-financial benefits available under the Rajasthan government's soldier welfare policies and their immediate implementation.

Seven Major Demands in the Memorandum

The memorandum places the following demands before the Central and Rajasthan governments:

1. Immediate release of all pending benefits

The Rajasthan Government should immediately verify and release all financial and other benefits payable to the family under the Kargil Package Scheme without any further delay.

2. Allotment of MIG house

An MIG residential house should be allotted to the martyr's family under the Rajasthan Housing Board in accordance with the Kargil Package provisions. Solanki claimed that this file has remained pending since 2023 awaiting final approval.

3. Allotment of residential plot

Under the Shaurya Chakra Awardees Scheme, the family should be allotted a 220-square metre residential plot at the concessional reserved rate. The memorandum states that although the family is clearly eligible, the proposal has remained pending since 2023.

4. Renaming of Udaipur's Rani Road

The memorandum demands that Rani Road in Udaipur be renamed as "Shaheed Major Mustafa Bohra Marg." Solanki stated that correspondence on the proposal has been ongoing for a considerable period but no final decision has yet been taken.

5. Renaming of Government School

The Government Senior Secondary School at Kheroda should be renamed "Shaheed Major Mustafa Bohra Government Senior Secondary School." The memorandum notes that this proposal has also remained pending despite prolonged correspondence.

6. Construction of Memorial

A permanent Shaheed Major Mustafa Bohra Memorial should be constructed at Kheroda as a centre to inspire patriotism, military service, and national pride among future generations.

7. Official District-Level Martyrdom Day

The memorandum proposes that October 21, the martyrdom day of Major Mustafa Bohra, be officially observed every year at the district level as "Shaheed Major Mustafa Bohra Shaurya Chakra Tribute Day."

The proposed annual observance would include official homage ceremonies, blood donation camps, motivational lectures, patriotic programmes for students, and joint events organised by the district administration, Soldiers' Welfare Department, Education Department, and ex-servicemen's organisations.

"The real tribute to our martyrs will be ensuring that every welfare scheme announced by the government reaches their families transparently, fully, and within the prescribed time," he said.

The BJP leader appealed to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Soldiers' Welfare Minister Colonel Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore to personally intervene and ensure that all pending matters concerning the martyr's family are resolved within 15 days.

Describing Rajasthan as the "land of brave warriors," Solanki said that if even the family of a posthumous Shaurya Chakra awardee has to struggle for years to obtain lawful benefits, it calls for serious introspection by both society and the administration.

Expressing confidence in what he described as the BJP's "double-engine government" at the Centre and in Rajasthan, Solanki said he believed the governments would demonstrate their commitment to the welfare of martyrs' families by taking prompt, sensitive, and decisive action.

He further expressed hope that the President, Prime Minister, Defence Minister, Chief Minister, Soldiers' Welfare Minister, and elected representatives from Udaipur would appreciate the seriousness of the matter and ensure that every statutory and policy benefit due to the family of martyr Major Mustafa Bohra is provided without further delay.