Parents of fallen Siachen hero Captain Anshuman Singh call for reforms in ‘Next of Kin’ law

PTC Web Desk: The parents of Captain Anshuman Singh, who tragically lost his life in a fire incident in Siachen in July last year, have raised concerns over the current ‘next of kin’ laws and the distribution of military honours. Captain Singh was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, but his parents claim they have been unable to share in this tribute.

In a report published in ‘India Today’, Ravi Pratap Singh, Captain Anshuman Singh’s father, has been reported as saying that his daughter-in-law, Smriti, took the Kirti Chakra, along with Captain Singh’s personal belongings, to her home in Gurdaspur, Punjab. She also changed the permanent address on official documents from Lucknow to Gurdaspur, ensuring all correspondence regarding Captain Anshuman Singh now goes to her.

The martyr’s father has called for amendments to ‘next of kin’ law, advocating that parents, alongside the spouse, should receive assets, medical updates, and government assistance in the event of their child’s death without a will. He also suggested that replicas of military honours should be provided to the parents of fallen soldiers so they can cherish their child’s memory.

“We married Anshuman to Smriti with his consent. After his death on July 19, 2023, Smriti insisted on returning to Gurdaspur after the funeral rites and took his photo album, clothes, and other belongings,” he said.

Ravi Pratap Singh expressed his sorrow at not being able to hold the Kirti Chakra, stating, “When the Kirti Chakra was awarded, his mother and wife received the honour. Despite my son’s sacrifice, I couldn’t even touch it.”

Captain Singh’s mother, Manju, recounted the award ceremony, explaining that she briefly held the Kirti Chakra for a photograph at the insistence of Army officers, but Smriti took it back immediately afterward.

The family also faced disappointment when they requested Smriti to bring the Kirti Chakra to the unveiling ceremony of a statue in Captain Singh’s honour, but received no response.

Captain Anshuman Singh, originally from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was recognised posthumously with the Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu.