New Delhi, October 29: Taking a leaf out of the dissenting artists and intellectuals’ books, the armed forces’ veterans have decided to return their war medals in order to mount pressure on the Narendra Modi government for the implementation of the One Rank One Pension issue. A news report by news channel India Today claimed that Major General Satbir Singh has decided to lead the ‘Medal Wapsi’ movement, parallel to the Award Wapsi movement that is going on in the country. Also Read - Remains of US Soldiers Killed in Korean War Arrive at Pearl Harbor

This comes after 12 film makers, close to 60 writers and one scientist returned prestigious government honours in protest. Some 100 scientists have also written to the government, voicing their concerns against the atmosphere of intolerance in the country and a group of historians have also let their dissent known. Enraged and frustrated with the government dragging its feet on the implementation of the policy, the ex servicemen had planned a huge protest rally on October 31. Around 5,000 veterans have planned to gather in the Azad Maidan in Mumbai to protest against slow government action on the issue. Also Read: No faith in Manohar Parrikar’s statement on OROP: Ex-servicemen Also Read - One Rank One Pension Latest News: No Change in OROP Policy, Government Says to Supreme Court

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier said that the scheme will be rolled out after the Bihar elections since the model code of conduct is in place right now. However, the veterans had displayed in complete lack of faith in Parrikar’s statement. “The minister has changed the goalposts and hence the veterans have no faith in this statement. Keeping in view the track record of the government and the minister on OROP implementation, we have no faith in this statement. This is just another statement. He has been changing the goalposts,” Satbir Singh had told IANS. Also Read - 'Together we Can Create a New India', Says PM Narendra Modi on 71st Independence Day: Highlights