Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net
Patna: The arrival of mortal remains of Border Security Force (BSF) Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiaz, who was killed on May 10 during heavy Pakistani shelling while defending the International Border in Jammu’s RS Pura sector, at Patna airport on May 12 was marked by an unexpected absence.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, along with his two deputy chief ministers, Samarat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, were absent from the guard of honour. This lack of presence raised many eyebrows, as did the absence of Patna’s district magistrate and senior superintendent of police.
Social media platforms erupted in criticism, calling this act a sign of “disrespect” towards the brave soldier who lost his life in a cross-border attack. Many questioned whether the absence of the state’s top leaders was related to the fact that the deceased name was Mohammad Imtiaz.
Later, however, the chief minister and his deputies, along with other leaders from the ruling party, visited Imtiaz’s home in Narayanpur, a village in the Garhka block of Saran district. They paid tribute by offering flowers at his portrait.
Kumar announced a honorarium of Rs 50 lakh to Imtiaz’s family. He said the state government would provide a job to the deceased son, based on his qualifications.
Expressing condolence, the chief minister wrote on X, “His (Imtiaz’s) martyrdom will be remembered by the country forever. I am deeply saddened by this incident.”
Imtiaz, who had joined the BSF in 1987, was the father of four. He was given a state burial and laid to rest with full honours. His son, Iman Raza, works as an engineer at the Patna Medical College and Hospital.
Raza spoke to reporters, expressing his pride in his father and saluting all the soldiers who laid down their lives for the nation.
Several political leaders also paid their respects at the Patna airport, including Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, BJP leader and Minister Nitin Navin, BJP State President Dilip Jayaswal, among others. Kumar and his deputies were absent from the guard of honour at the airport, as they were reportedly occupied with a Buddha Purnima event.
Shrawan Kumar, a senior member of the ruling Janata Dal (United) or JD(U), attended the airport ceremony – representing of the chief minister. He stated that CM Kumar stood firmly with the deceased family.
On social media, both Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, who are from the BJP, expressed their condolences to the soldier.
Chaudhary, however, made a post on his Facebook page, which has a following of over one million, and mourned the tragic loss: “The news of BSF Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiaz’s martyrdom, while fighting for the safety of our motherland, is heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences to his family in this time of sorrow. His service to the country and dedication will inspire the younger generation, and his supreme sacrifice for the nation’s safety will always be remembered.”
While some criticised the absence of Patna’s DM and SSP, a few officials from the administration were present to pay respects. TwoCircles.net sent queries in this regard to the two high-ranking officials and the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) regarding the absence of their absence but did not receive a response till late evening. The story will be updated if their comments are received.
Another wave of criticism emerged over the absence of a vehicle to transport the family members of the slain BSF jawan. A viral video showed Imtiaz’s son struggling to push his trolley at the airport.
Veteran journalist Ravish Kumar called this incident “shameful”, writing on X, “It is unfortunate that his sons were forced to carry their luggage at this moment of sorrow. If you cannot speak before world leaders, at least you can carry the luggage of a martyr properly.”
Senior journalist Rohini Singh also expressed her outrage: “What a disgrace you are @NitishKumar. What a disgrace your deputies are too. What a disgraceful administration you all run.”
Independent sources clarified that the family’s vehicles were not allowed entry into the hangar, which forced them to push their trolley. However, one official later assisted them.
AIMIM’s Aadil Hasan also criticised the absence of the chief minister, along with his deputies – Chaudhary and Sinha. “How could the CM fail to pay homage to a martyred BSF jawan at the airport? Was it because his name was Mohammad Imtiaz?” he asked.