In a ceremony today, the Amar Jawan Jyoti, or “everlasting light,” for troops at India Gate will be extinguished after 50 years and fused with the torch at the National War Memorial. This afternoon, a portion of the flame will be transferred to the military memorial.
The government said that “a lot of misinformation” was circulating in the wake of the move’s harsh criticism.
“The Amar Jawan Jyoti’s flame will not be extinguished. The flame at the National War Memorial is being united with it. It was strange to see the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti paying tribute to the martyrs of the 1971 and earlier conflicts, but there were no names on it “According to government sources.
The British constructed the India Gate in commemoration of British Indian Army men who perished in World War I. When the Indira Gandhi-led Congress government was in power in 1971, the Amar Jawan Jyoti was installed beneath the India Gate.
Government sources said it is “ironic that persons who did not make a National War Memorial for 7 decades are now making a hue and cry when a permanent and worthy homage is being made to our martyrs,” referring to Opposition leaders who have blasted the initiative.
Over the huge change in a decades-old custom, there has been a deluge of social media posts and declarations from opposing parties, as well as a segment of retired soldiers.
“Some people cannot grasp patriotism and sacrifice,” remarked Congressman Rahul Gandhi.
The flame will be merged at the National War Memorial, which spans 40 acres. It was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 at a cost of 176 crore.
