A widow of a security assistant, who was killed in action while defending the Indian parliament against a terrorist attack, has protested the move to provide presidential clemency for Mohammed Afzal, the main accused in the attack and even threatened to return her husband's bravery medal.
Prem Devi, widow of Jagdish Prasad Yadav, who was the first security official to alert the entire security apparatus in Parliament House when terrorists stormed it on December 13, 2001, threatened to return the gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra, given to her husband posthumously.
Yadav, a resident of Neem Ka Thana town in Sikar district of Rajasthan, laid down his life while fighting the terrorists.
"If government forgives the murderers of Indian soldiers then there remains no significance of such bravery award. It was like betraying the nation and the sacrifice of an officer, so it's better to return Ashok Chakra," Prem Devi said on Monday.
According to her, Ashok Chakra is a mark of respect for her martyr husband but if the accused go scot-free then it is of no use.
"It would not only demoralise the Indian security forces but would also promote such anti-national elements in the country," said Prem Devi.
{{/usCountry}}"It would not only demoralise the Indian security forces but would also promote such anti-national elements in the country," said Prem Devi.
{{/usCountry}}"If things goes this way then who would like a son or a husband to serve for the country," she asked.
She said she has been waiting for a long time to see the culprits are brought to justice.
"Afzal has been found guilty even by the court of law then why should there be any politics over it. I would even urge other people to return their awards if clemency is given to him," she added.