A cloud of grief and protest hangs over Kothe Chahal village in Punjab’s Faridkot district, where the family of 22-year-old Agniveer Akashdeep Singh is refusing to perform his final rites — immersing his ashes — until he is officially recognized as a martyr.
Akashdeep, recruited under the Centre’s Agnipath scheme, died last week after a bullet injury while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir. His mother, Karamjit Kaur, has made an emotional yet firm stand — she will not immerse her son’s ashes until the Government of India honours his sacrifice with the title of martyr. Her protest has touched a raw nerve across Punjab, especially in districts that have historically contributed heavily to the Indian Armed Forces.
“He gave his life wearing the uniform. How is his sacrifice any less?” asked Karamjit Kaur, who also alleged that neither the Centre nor the Punjab Government has reached out with formal recognition or compensation.
The family has also claimed that earlier promises — including one from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences to institute an award in Akashdeep’s name and offer lifelong free healthcare to his kin — were only reported in the media and not communicated directly.
Akashdeep’s tragic death has reignited political debate around the controversial Agnipath recruitment scheme, which allows youth to serve in the armed forces for just four years. Critics have argued that the short tenure deprives recruits of pensions, post-service benefits, and, most critically, recognition if they die in service.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring led the opposition charge, calling the scheme “discriminatory” and demanding it be scrapped. “When a soldier dies in the line of duty, he must be given due respect. Denying martyr status and compensation is an insult to their sacrifice,” he said. Warring further urged the government to regularize all Agniveers and revert to traditional, long-term recruitment.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government of selective generosity. He pointed out that while the Chief Minister recently announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for victims of the Majitha hooch tragedy, no official statement or aid has been issued for Akashdeep’s family. “Why was another Agniveer’s family in Mansa given Rs one crore, but this family is being ignored?” Bajwa questioned.
