Sikh Policy Center(www.sikhpc.org)

His name was Akashdeep Singh. 20 years old. From Kothe Chahal village in Faridkot Punjab. He had one dream. To wear the uniform and serve India. He joined the Indian Army under the Agnipath scheme. Posted to Jammu and Kashmir. On April 20 2025 he returned to his post after leave. A few hours later he called his mother Karamjit Kaur. It was their last conversation. On May 15 2025 he was shot while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir. His body was brought home to Faridkot. His mother fainted at the door. When she came to she found out her son had not been given martyr status. He had died in uniform. With a bullet. On active duty. In a conflict zone. But under the Agnipath scheme Agniveers do not automatically receive the same recognition as regular soldiers. Karamjit Kaur made one decision. She would not immerse her son’s ashes until the government declared him a martyr. Three weeks after his cremation his ashes sat in their home in Faridkot. Every morning and every evening Karamjit Kaur and her husband Balwinder sat beside those ashes and prayed. She said this. He gave his life for the country but the government is not giving him the respect he deserves. Until they declare him a martyr I will not immerse his ashes. Youth from nearby villages announced they would boycott upcoming Agniveer recruitment tests. He was 20 years old. He gave India his life. India gave him a four year contract and no guaranteed martyr status. His mother is still waiting. Remember his name. Agniveer Akashdeep Singh. Follow for real stories about people India must never forget.