FARIDKOT, May 20 — The grieving family of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh, a young soldier killed on duty in Jammu and Kashmir last week, has refused to conduct his final rites, demanding that the government first recognize him as a martyr.
Akashdeep, a resident of Kothe Chahal village in Punjab’s Faridkot district, died from a bullet wound while serving under the Centre’s Agnipath military recruitment scheme. His mother, Karamjit Kaur, said she collapsed when her son’s body reached home, only to later learn that he had not been accorded martyr status.
“He gave his life for the country, but the government is not giving him the respect he deserves,” Kaur said. “Until they declare him a martyr, I will not immerse his ashes.”
Kaur also urged the government to scrap the Agnipath scheme, which recruits youth into the armed forces for a four-year term. “It puts young soldiers at risk without honour or security,” she added.
The protest by Akashdeep’s family has sparked widespread support across the region, as community members gathered to back the demand for recognition and dignity. Critics argue that the Agnipath scheme fails to provide long-term benefits or due honour to those who die in uniform.
Daljit Kaur, a relative, echoed the mother’s sentiments. “Denying martyr status to someone who gave his life for the nation is deeply unjust,” she said. “Such negligence will discourage other youth like Akashdeep from joining the forces. If this continues, we will escalate this struggle to the state level.”
Amid growing calls for justice, the family also raised concerns about unfulfilled commitments. Karamjit Kaur claimed that Baba Farid University of Health Sciences had promised to establish an award in Akashdeep’s name and provide the family with lifelong free medical care — but no official communication had been made.
“We only heard about it through the media,” she said. “No one from the administration or government has contacted us so far.”
The demand for martyr status comes at a time when the Agnipath scheme is already under intense scrutiny.
While designed to modernize the armed forces, it has faced sustained criticism over its short-term tenure and limited post-service benefits for recruits — particularly those who die in the line of duty.
