Military sources in New Delhi have stated that Major Nitin Leetul Gogoi, who is alleged to have ordered a Kashmiri man to be tied to a jeep bonnet on April 9 to deter stone-pelters from targeting his troops and election staff, has been awarded a commendation certificate by Army chief General Bipin Rawat. Meanwhile on confirmation of the award to the officer came hours after BJP MP and actor Paresh Rawal tweeted that author Arundhati Roy should be tied to an Army jeep instead of a stone-pelter, a reference to the Kashmir incident.
Sources said “Instead of tying stone pelter on the army jeep tie Arundhati Roy!” Rawal tweeted, taking a swipe at the author while ostensibly reacting to reports by Pakistani websites which claimed she had made remarks against the Indian Army on a recent visit to Srinagar.
Meanwhile when speaking to the reporters Rawal said: “I know it is harsh.
I meant it to be harsh. That’s why I got the desired effect it has called the
attention of the nation to what she (Roy) has been saying and a debate will
start now.” Sources, meanwhile, said the decision to award the Chief of Army’s
Staff Commendation Card to Major Gogoi was made after a court of inquiry
hearing his case exonerated him, saying his actions were justified by circumstances.
