Indian Ex Servicemen Movement

[3][4][5] The stated aims of the IESM are: to serve as an umbrella organization for all Ex Servicemen of India; provide a unified veteran voice on issues of national interest; serve as a forum for raising and discussing challenges faced by veterans; play 'constructive role in nation building activities; promote and support IESM causes, including those affecting ESM Widows, war wounded, and injured; and render assistance and advice to veterans on matters of pension, health coverage and benefits, and legal issues.

[10] In June 2015, IESM, as major component of the umbrella organization United Front of Ex-Servicemen (UFESM), participated in nationwide protests, spread over 80 towns and cities of India, demanding implementation of OROP.

[19] On 15 June 2015 in New Delhi (India):Angry over the delay in implementation of 'One Rank One Pension', ex-servicemen on Sunday launched a protest at Jantar Mantar.

Ex-servicemen was gone on an indefinite relay hunger strike to put pressure on the government to implement One-Rank, One-Pension (OROP) scheme.

The hunger strike was led by Lt Colonel MBS Ahluwalia (retd) and many others joined while hundreds were set to participate in the protest.

Day before 15 June, the retired servicemen took out a massive rally in the national capital and across the country to express their displeasure in the delay of OROP implementation.

Military veterans returned their war and other medals at various places in Haryana and Punjab on Tuesday to register their protest against the "diluted" notification of the One Rank One Pension scheme.

The veterans, under the banner of Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), gathered at Shankla Chowk in Sector 2 and marched to the deputy commissioner's office to submit their medals, to be further sent to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
"Unfortunately, the recently issued notification on the OROP gives nothing but a truncated deal and cannot be called OROP either in letter or spirit," the memorandum to the PM read. (HT Photo)