A campaign to secure national recognition for the Ahir soldiers who fought and died defending Rezang La during the 1962 India-China war will bring members of the Yadav community from across the country to Delhi on November 18. The gathering at Talkatora Stadium will seek a memorial at the battlefield and inclusion of the soldiers’ story in the national curriculum.
Organised by the Krishna Yadav Mahasabha, the Rezang La Shaurya Diwas event will be attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav as the chief guest. The organisers said the programme would honour the soldiers and press the Centre to give their sacrifice greater recognition in the country’s military history.
Addressing a press conference at the Press Club of India on Thursday, Mahasabha national president Jagdish Yadav said the battle of Rezang La was an important chapter of courage and sacrifice that deserved to reach younger generations.
He said the Ahir soldiers had fought under difficult conditions, but their contribution had not received the national recognition it deserved. The organisation will demand the development of a memorial named ‘Rezang La National Valour Site Ahirdham’ at the battlefield. It will also seek the inclusion of the soldiers’ account in the national curriculum so that students learn about their role in the 1962 war.
Jagdish Yadav said the November 18 gathering was intended to go beyond a commemorative event and build support for preserving the soldiers’ legacy as part of the country’s collective memory.
Mahasabha national media coordinator Than Singh Yadav said members of the community from different states would travel to Delhi to pay tribute to the soldiers.