Nearly three weeks after the cremation of 20-year-old Agniveer Akashdeep Singh, who died while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir on May 15, his ashes remain unimmersed at his home in Kothe Chahal village, near Kotkapura in Faridkot district. His grieving parents say they will not perform the final rites until he is accorded martyr status.
Akashdeep's father Balwinder Singh, a machine operator, and his mother Karamjit Kaur sit beside their son's ashes every morning and evening, offering prayers in silence. A photograph of the young soldier in uniform stands next to the urn, a constant reminder of the family's unanswered questions.
“We still don’t know how our son died. How can we say our final goodbye without knowing the truth? He deserves justice, and we will immerse his ashes only after he is honoured as a martyr,” said Balwinder Singh. He added that he has spoken to just one Army officer since the incident and is now planning to visit the area where Akashdeep was posted, hoping to find closure.
The bhog ceremony was held on May 25, but the family has put his last rites on hold, awaiting recognition from the government.
Local support for the family has been growing. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has visited the family multiple times, though Balwinder says the response has remained limited to assurances that any government action will follow the Centre’s investigation report.
The impact of Akashdeep’s death has extended beyond his household. His younger brother Komalpreet Singh, an NCC cadet, says he has now abandoned his dream of joining the Army. “I wanted to follow in Akash's footsteps, but now I avoid even thinking about it,” he shared.
Moved by the family’s struggle, several local youth have reportedly announced a boycott of the upcoming Agniveer recruitment tests, expressing solidarity and demanding justice for Akashdeep.
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