VK Singh sparks row with remarks over ex-serviceman Grewal's mental state

NEW DELHI: Union Minister VK Singh today triggered a controversy when he said the "mental state" of the ex-serviceman who committed alleged suicide over OROP needs to be probed before drawing conclusions about his extreme action.

"He has committed suicide. No one knows the reason behind it. OROP is being shown as the reason. What his mental state was we do not know. Let it be probed first. OROP should be kept above politics," Singh told reporters, while reacting to alleged suicide by army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal.

He went on to state that the Centre had accepted the long-pending demands of the agitating veterans and there was no need to get into "what one is saying for 4 paisa."

Singh's comments drew sharp reactions from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Congress.

"Shame on u VKSingh. He twice got medals from President and once from COAS. He was a decorated soldier," Kejriwal tweeted.

Senior Congress leader RPN Singh said it was "unbecoming" of a former army chief to bring the mental state of a deceased veteran into question.

"It is unfortunate that a former army chief is raising such questions," the former Union Minister said.