In response to a controversy surrounding the lack of a military guard of honor for a deceased Agniveer recruit, the Indian Army has clarified that Amritpal Singh, who died by suicide, is not entitled to a military funeral as per the 1967 Army Order currently in place.
Amritpal Singh, a member of the Army’s Jammu and Kashmir Rifles unit, tragically took his own life while on sentry duty on October 11. His cremation took place in his hometown in Punjab’s Mansa district on Friday.
The Indian Army expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Agniveer Amritpal Singh due to suicide and emphasized that there have been misunderstandings and misrepresentations regarding the circumstances of his death.
As per the established practice, after the necessary medico-legal procedures were conducted, the soldier’s remains were transported to his hometown for the final rites with an accompanying escort party arranged by the Army.
The Army reiterated that they do not differentiate between soldiers who joined before or after the Agnipath Scheme implementation concerning entitled benefits and protocols.
The statement clarified that the Armed Forces show respect and empathy to the families in cases of suicide or self-inflicted injuries, regardless of the entry type. However, these cases do not qualify for military funerals as per the 1967 Army Order currently in effect.
The Indian Army noted that there have been an average of 100 to 140 soldier suicides or self-inflicted injuries annually since 2001, and military funerals were not provided in such cases. The prompt disbursement of financial assistance and relief, as per entitlement, is a priority, including immediate financial support for the funeral arrangements.
These tragic incidents have a profound impact on both the families and the Armed Forces, and during these times, it is crucial for society to respect the family’s privacy and dignity while offering empathy in their moment of grief, as stated by the Indian Army.
