Ashok Chakra for only two: Karkare and Omble
Amitav Ranjan
Posted: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 at 1051 hrs IST
Updated: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 at 1051 hrs IST
New Delhi: The UPA government has decided to restrict the Ashok Chakra for those who died in the Mumbai terror attacks to ATS chief Hemant Karkare and ASI Tukaram Omble.
On the night of November 26, Omble took the bullets but held on to the gun which led to the capture of terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab at Girgaum Chowpatty while Karkare was killed in the line of duty at Cama Hospital.
Though the Maharashtra government had recommended that all 16 policemen who died in the attacks be awarded the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Centre decided to award it to two with Kirti Chakra for six, including Ashok Kamte, Vijay Salaskar and Shashank Shinde, and police gallantry medals for the rest.
“In all, nine Ashok Chakras would be given away this Republic Day,” Defence Ministry sources said. The highest number of Ashok Chakras awarded in a year is three, after the Parliament attack in December 2001.
Comments
» Ashok Chakra Controversy
Posted by Nitish on 2009-04-17 22:47:09.410197+05:30
God knows why we as a race dont like to smell the coffee and face reality--which in this case was that Karkare and the other cops (those who dies with him) were quite foolisha dn probably incompetent...they saved no ones life! The ASI and the army major were the true heroes...yes we have jornoes like Rajdeep Sardesai screaming at the top of their lungs...India lost one of its best cops in the line of duty..wake up..we gained too..in a sense...we realised the incompetency of our police force and the entire civil administration.
» Ashok Chakra Controversy
Posted by a patwardhan on 2009-02-01 19:04:57.303103+05:30
Looks like the only norm for grant of the gallantry awards is death and the status of the personnel dead..the government would have done well to grant the highest peace time award to all persons who died. Not only shinde but there are several hotel exployess and even fire brigade personnel who had exhibited conspicuous bravery beyond the call of duty... their dedicated action has been rendered worthless due to the manner in which the nominations for the award have been accepted.. we continue to have double standard.. someone has been also granted the highest medal just for acting as jeep driver.. kudos to our democratic country...
» contoversy surrounding ashok chakra awards
Posted by i samson on 2009-02-01 17:11:58.313028+05:30
This discussion makes a wonderful reading. But has any one realised that a police officer has been awarded “Ashok Chakra” for taking the job of a driver and for locking his subordinates including gunmen in the dicky of the qualis jeep. As if this was not enough, noise is now being made for an enquiry as to why the ak 47 gun allotted to him earlier was withdrawn. Would any one like to throw light on this issue as to what this officer would have done with the gun when his hands were engaged in holding the steering wheel of the jeep, To top this all the civic authorities have not lagged behind in adding their share of stupidity by felicitating the officer by naming a public garden after him. I have nothing against the officer who died and his family who is now suffering, they deserve full sympathy but that does not mean that the highest peace time gallantry award of the country is demeaned to such an extent.
» Why Double Standards
Posted by Deepak on 2009-01-28 10:41:03.882034+05:30
We may please note that Gallantry awards are not given based on ranks and designation . It was evident in Kargil when Lt col Viswanathan was not given Param vir chakra but a few lesser ranking personnel got it . So it is clearly for 'EXCEPTIONAL' acts of bravery and not just for 'getting killed'. The qualis with Salaskar at the wheel and Kamte at the front seat had 3 constables in the back row of whom two died . If Karkare deserves Ashok Chakra for being in the qualis , so do the other two. Now can UPA please explain whether theirs was a lesser sacrifice or is it that the constables were not investigating controversial cases that their deaths were forgotten . Truly none in the Qualis deserves Ashok Chakra which is the peace time equivalent of Param Vir Chakra. Good that they gave it to Ombale and the 2 NSG commandoes at least. But why the hell do we have lesser 'Chakras' like kirti Chakras if anyone and everyone is given Ashok Chakra. This way Laloo can stake claim for a 'Bharat Ratna
» Medals.. a gift to undeserving
Posted by i samson on 2009-02-01 15:41:45.449808+05:30
This discussion makes a wonderful reading. But has any one realised that a police officer has been awarded “Ashok Chakra” for taking the job of a driver and for locking his subordinates including gunmen in the dicky of the qualis jeep. As if this was not enough, noise is now being made for an enquiry as to why the ak 47 gun allotted to him earlier was withdrawn. Would any one like to throw light on this issue as to what this officer would have done with the gun when his hands were engaged in holding the steering wheel of the jeep, To top this all the civic authorities have not lagged behind in adding their share of stupidity by felicitating the officer by naming a public garden after him. I have nothing against the officer who died and his family who is now suffering, they deserve full sympathy but that does not mean that the highest peace time gallantry award of the country is demeaned to such an extent. It will certainly be an insult to those who have actually fought for the country , laying down their lives while exhibiting devotiohn to duty, courage and gallantry of the highest order. George Bernard Shaw’s quote on martyrdom must have been in a lighter vein but has now become a reality.. he had said : “martyrdom is the only way in which a man can become famous without ability”. How true!
» Had there been a competent ATS chief
Posted by killa on 2009-01-28 09:30:49.927285+05:30
Mumbai attack could have been averted, had there been an honest and competent workholic ATS Chief in place of Karkare. Despite clear cut warning by UP police last year in january and several other intelligence clues abbout an imminent attack on Taj hotel and CST he didnt take any action and was busy in pleasing sonia by harrassing sadhvi,
» let the martyrs R.I.P
Posted by Aryan < http://xpensieve.blogspot.com > on 2009-01-26 20:19:20.995647+05:30
I am not sure if the report and the comments are more funny or more saddening. The fact, that even the ultimate sacrifice made can be questioned by those for whom the sacrifice reflects the extent to which parochialism and sub-nationalism influence our "nationalistic" sentiments. C'mon guys, even if one were to buy your argument that some people died because of their carelessness, u gotta realize that they died! Wearing uniform and on the line of duty! Whereas, u were safely tucked up in the comforts of ur homes watching it on tv! The government may have political motives for taking this decision but so have some of those commenting here. References to "communists" and "minorities" clearly indicates that parochialism and sub-nationalist agenda influence our attitude towards those who lay down their lives for the nation.
» Then why double standards
Posted by Deepak on 2009-01-28 10:27:25.403625+05:30
If that is your arguement . why not award all 408 soldiers who died in Kargil conflict with Param Vir Chakras . Dear brother , please understand that these chakras are for people who show exceptional acts of bravery and not to every soldier who dies in the battle field. Please explain as to how three people who sat in the Qualis(high ranking Officials) were awarded and three others present in the same qualis were conveniently forgotten. Your anger on parochialism is appreciated but gallantry awards based on the number of stars on the shoulder is also equally condemnable
» dirty politics of CONGRESS
Posted by samir gokarnakar on 2009-01-26 16:27:56.982902+05:30
it is nothing but the useless and dirty politics to award such great honour to Karkare.
» Stop discussing who deserves
Posted by Shaishav N on 2009-01-25 18:31:13.824321+05:30
To All above who are raising foolish questions or arguements on death of the martyrs. None of those who are commenting above was there to witness what situation was faced by the Brave Police Officers
» ASHOK CHAKRA IS THE GREATEST AWARD.. PLEASE DO NOT INSULT IT.
Posted by KP PILLAI on 2009-01-22 10:13:39.422639+05:30
AN POSTHUMOUS AWARD FOR KARKARE IS NOTHING BUT TO APPEASE HIS COMMUNIST COMRADES AND THE MINORITIES TO GET THEIR VOTES. THE GOVT SHOULD RESCIND ITS DECISION, IF TAKEN, AND DECLARE THE HIGHEST AWARD TO THE DESERVING. KARKARE WAS A BY-PASSER, WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS AMBUSHED BY THE HIDING TERRORISTS. GIVING ASHOK CHAKRA POSTHUMOUSLY TO HIM IS NOTHING BUT AN INSULT TO THE GREAT PRECEDENCE. MAJ.SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN, DIED FIGHTING EYE-TO-EYE WITH THE TERRORISTS, A POSITION HE TOOK UP VOLUNTARILY FORCING HIS SUBORDINATES TO RETREAT. HE ONLY, REPEAT, HE ONLY, DESERVES TO BE AWARDED ASHOK CHAKRA, WHILE ALL OTHERS BE MADE ELIGIBLE FOR POLICE MEDAL OR PRESIDENT'S POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY. THE NSG COMMANDOS PERFORMED GREATER SERVICE, WHICH SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. ACTION OTHERWISE WILL DEMORALIZE THEM. ONE MORE PENDING ACTION WITH THE GOVT. IS AWARDING BHARAT RATNA POSTHUMOUSLY TO FIELD MARSHAL S.H.F.J.MANEKSHAW. PLEASE DO NOT PLAY POLITICS IN THIS CASES.
» Need to Correct You
Posted by Avinash Deshpande on 2009-01-23 16:47:46.525787+05:30
Pillai, I need to correct you that Tukaram Omle also deserve Ashok Chakra as he held onto the Machine gune being fired by Kasab and died (although he knew he could die) and help capture Kasab alive.
» Read before commenting
Posted by Sunil Abhyankar on 2009-01-22 07:10:11.980483+05:30
Please read the text of the news item correctly. Only 2 of the 16 policemen recommended by Maharashtra Govt. will be awarded Ashok Chakras. In all 9 Ashok Chakras are to be awarded. There is no mention of inclusion or exclusion of any other individuals including Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan of NSG.
