Damaged grave of 1947-1948 Indo-Pak war hero restored by Indian Army

The grave of Brigadier Mohammed Usman or better know as “Naushera ka Sher” who died in Jammu and Kashmir while fighting Pakistani soldiers and the militia was recently damaged by some troublesome elements.

The pictures of the damaged grave surfaced online and many raise concerns about it and ask for an immediate restoration. The plea for the grave restoration was immediately heard by the Indian army. The Indian army immediately took action and restored the grave and said the authority should take care of it and if they can not then the army is capable of taking care of its heroes.

“The grave falls within the territorial jurisdiction of Jamia Millia Islamia so the administration should be responsible for the maintenance of the grave. And, if they cannot maintain it, the Army is fully capable of taking care of the grave of the war hero,” said an Army official to a source.

The Mahavir Chakra holder’s grave was located at the Jamia cemetery in New Delhi. He was the highest-ranking officer of the Indian Army who was martyred in the Indo-Pak war of 1947-48.

Mohammad Usman is a symbol of India’s “inclusive secularism”. During the partition unlike other Muslim officers, he refused to move to Pakistan’s army even being offered the position of Army chief, he decided to serve with the Indian army.

Born in Bibipur, Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh on 15 July 1912 he was brave from a young age. At the age of 12, he jumped into a well to rescue a drowning child.

Earlier BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Syed Zafar Islam offered to restore the grave. Syed Zafar said that BJP has always respect Indian soldiers who serve and die for the love of their country. He quoted, “our soldiers who have made supreme sacrifices for our motherland”.

The cemetery is situated in south Delhi’s Batla House Qabristan near Jamia Millia Islamia and according to the locals, it is not secure as both the entrance and exit gates are open 24×7. The entire cemetery site is open to the Jamia Metro Station and main road makes it easier for anyone to trespass.

Jamis University’s PRO Ahmad Azeem speaking about the vandalization of the grave said that the university is responsible for maintaining the graveyard only not the graves.

Speaking about the grave a professor of Jamia said that, “The university has a private fund for the maintenance of the graveyard, including trimming the grass and clearing trash. Sometimes drunkards come to the graveyard at night.”

He also added, “Due to sentimentality and other factors, families are responsible for maintaining the graves. In the past, families have requested the university for permission and logistical help to repair graves or correct facts on certain epitaphs, but this is done on a case-by-case basis.”

The restored grave has a plaque that reads, “Here lies the mortal remains of the brave son of the soil, Late Brig Mohammed Usman, MVC (Posthumous). Decades and generations have passed, but his tomb stands testimony to the gallant saga of a true son of the motherland. It has and will continue to inspire future generations to come.”

Speaking about the netizens pointing out the vandalization of the grave the grandnephew of Brig. Usman said, “What’s inspiring and positive is how everyone came together to point it out.”

Brigadier Mohammed Usman or ‘Naushera ka Sher’ (the Lion of Naushera) led the 50 (Independent) Parachute Brigade in the Indo-Pak war of 1984 and recaptured the two strategically important locations in Jammu and Kashmir- Jhangar and Naushera.

Late Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Governor-General C. Rajagopalachari, and many other cabinet ministers have visited his grave to show respect to the brave martyr of the Indian soldier.

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