In a rare gesture, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday broke protocol and hugged Border Security Force (BSF) constable Godhraj Meena who suffered 85 percent disability after militants' bullets hit him during an attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur in 2014.
Meena's bus – part of a BSF convoy – was ambushed by militants on 5 August 2014 near the 'narsu nalah' area in Udhampur with a heavy gunfire.
The citation of the 44-year-old trooper said he was on guard duty in the bus, and his bravery, acute presence of mind and accurate fire kept the two militants at bay and thwarted their attempts to enter and target the about 30 personnel onboard.
Meena, who now cannot speak properly after one bullet had pierced through his jaw, received a thunderous applause from the officials and jawans when the home minister pinned the gallantry medal on his chest.
Even before Meena could accord the mandatory salute, the home minister hugged and patted him and saw him off from the dais with a firm and long hand shake.
BSF officials said as per protocol, the home minister, after pinning the medal and handing over the citation, has to shake hand with the awardee and the person moves ahead after according a salute to him.
What we saw today is rare, very rare. This is only in very special cases... He is not able to talk and walk properly, but despite this, he dons his uniform with pride.A senior officer told PTI
The officer said Meena has now been deputed for conducting administrative duties.
This retaliation had led a total of four BSF personnel, including Meena, being decorated with gallantry medals.
The others included constable Subhendu Roy, driver Daljit Singh and constable Rocky who was awarded the 'Shaurya Chakra'.
Later, during his speech, Singh said he was proud of Meena's bravery and grit.
The home minister also decorated five personnel of the 41st battalion of the force for undertaking an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh's Kanker in 2014, where the team killed two Maoists.
(With PTI inputs)