The Amar Jawan Jyoti or the ‘eternal flame’
for fallen soldiers of the Indian Army at India Gate in New Delhi will be put
out in a ceremony on Friday and merged with the flame at the adjacent National War
Memorial.

The decision has been slammed by opposition
parties as a “national tragedy” and tantamount to “extinguishing history”.
However, the government has issued a clarification, saying a “lot of misinformation”
has been circulating.

“The flame of the Amar Jawan Jyoti is not being extinguished. It is being merged with the flame at the National War Memorial,” BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said in a tweet. 

Also Read | Amar Jawan Jyoti: History and significance

“It was an odd thing to see that the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti payed homage to the martyrs of the 1971 & other wars but none of their names are present there.”

“The names of all Indian martyrs from all the wars, including 1971 and wars before and after it are housed at the National War Memorial. Hence it is a true shraddhanjali to have the flame paying tribute to martyrs there.” 

“It is ironic that people who did not make a National War Memorial for 7 decades are now making a hue and cry when a permanent and fitting tribute is being made to our martyrs.”

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi was among the opposition leaders that have hit out at the Centre for the decision, vowing the Congress will light the flame once again. 

“It is a matter of great sadness that the immortal flame for our brave soldiers will be extinguished today.Some people cannot understand patriotism and sacrifice – never mind…We will once again light the ‘Amar Jawan Jyoti’ for our soldiers,” Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi.