Army fully capable of maintaining grave of Brigadier Mohammed Usman
The grave of "Naushera ka Sher" Brigadier Mohammed Usman, falling within the jurisdiction of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, has been found in a damaged state, as Army sources on Monday said it was fully capable of taking care of the national hero's final resting place. He was the senior-most officer killed in the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48 and posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra.
The Army is deeply anguished and disturbed at the condition
"The grave falls within the territorial jurisdiction of Jamia Millia Islamia, so the administration should be responsible for the maintenance of the grave. And, if they cannot maintain it, the Army is fully capable of taking care of the grave of the war hero," an Army source said. The Army is "deeply anguished and disturbed" after seeing the condition of his grave, they said.
'The graves are to be maintained by respective families'
A senior official of Jamia Millia Islamia said, "The university is responsible for maintaining the graveyard's boundary wall and cleanliness. However, the graves are to be maintained by respective families." He, however, did not comment on the maintenance of security in the graveyard. However, there are no plans to shift his remains to the Delhi Cantonment area, the source added.
Heritage Times' photographs brought the situation to light
A portal Heritage Times shared photographs of the grave, bringing the situation to light. "We will write to the university authorities to take action on the state of graves there. The varsity must ensure that only family members are allowed inside the graveyards," Haris-ul-Haq, Secretary, Jamia Millia School Teachers' Association, said. A senior police officer said that they have not received any complaint.
Lt Gen (retd) Syed Ata Hasnain tweeted the story
Heartbroken. @adgpi please see this info is put up to the AG and the Colonel of the Parachute Regt. This grave must be repaired by us, the Indian Army. We should move the mortal remains to a place in Delhi Cantt where they will be treated with honour https://t.co/uLZasQmaHG
— Syed Ata Hasnain (@atahasnain53) December 27, 2020
Local MLA Amanatullah Khan to look into it
Local MLA and Delhi Waqf Board chairman Amanatullah Khan said he was not aware of the incident. "We will look into it," he said. Responding to Syed Ata Hasnain's tweet, Lt. Gen.(retired) Vinod Bhatia, Director, Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) and former Director-General of Military Operations (DMGO) tweeted, "Corrective action has been initiated."
Lt. Gen. (retired) Vinod Bhatia tweeted in response
Corrective action initiated. Brig Muhammad Usman MVC (P), Saviour of Naushera is by far the most reverred and respected military leader and paratrooper. https://t.co/P2KpNoJZh1
— Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (@Ptr6Vb) December 27, 2020
