IN a letter written by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on July 10, to the agitating ex-servicemen who are on a dharna and indefinite relay hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi since June 14, solidarity was expressed to their concerns over the issue of 'One Rank, One Pension'. The letter noted that the armed forces of this country have played a crucial role in the national life and made great sacrifices for the unity and territorial integrity since the inception of our republic. Understandably, the retirees from the armed forces have been legitimately agitating for recognition and implementation of `One Rank One Pension’. The demand has attracted support on principle by the entire political spectrum of the country. We of the CPI(M) have also time and again reiterated our support for this legitimate demand, the letter said. The BJP has been more specific in promising the ex-servicemen in the run-up to the elections and subsequent to the assumption of office by no less than the prime minister himself. In fact, Narendra Modi, as the prime ministerial nominee for the BJP in March 2014, made this commitment in a rally of ex-servicemen in Rewari, Haryana. He categorically mentioned in the event of BJP coming to power, this demand will be implemented within one month of assumption of office. But like so many other electoral commitments made to different democratic sections of the society, the union government has also reneged on this question. The letter said, “In this moment of anguish which has forced you in this course of agitation for your legitimate demand, we express our firm commitment on behalf of our Party to your demand. We re-assure you that we will be in solidarity both inside and outside the parliament for the realisation of your demand.” The letter was handed over to the agitating ex-servicemen by Hari Singh Kang, central secretariat member of the CPI(M)