On 26th July 1999, the Indian Army came out triumphant in Kargil by recapturing all the posts in the sector which were illegally occupied by Pakistan. Ever since, the day is deemed special by the citizens of India. However, during its first tenure from 2004 to 2009, the UPA Government actually did not officially celebrate the day.
UPA Government did not celebrate Kargil Divas in its first tenure
As claimed by Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the UPA Government did not celebrate the day during its first tenure. Congress MP Rashid Alvi had reportedly said that Kargil wasn’t a thing to be celebrated as the war was fought on Indian territory. He further said that it may be celebrated by the NDA government as the war was fought during their regime.
Rajeev Chandrashekar then requested for the day to be remembered
On 21st July 2009, Mr. Rajeev wrote to the Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha to seek the permission of the Chairman for mentioning the Kargil Vijay Diwas as a matter of public importance in the Upper House on 23rd July. He also mentioned the 10th anniversary of the Kargil victory and said that it was a day of sacrifice, and hence, needs to be remembered. He further requested the Ministry of Defence and GOI to celebrate the day every year.
In 2010, the letter received a reply when AK Anthony, the then Defence Minister, in view of the honoring the martyrs, declared that a homage ceremony would also be organized that year at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.
Source: Mr. Rajeev Chandrashekar’s letters
