A man who served in elite military units, living with disability, says workers at a payment station near Sastan in Karnataka refused him entry on Republic Day’s eve – even after showing papers proving he should pass free. Shyamraj EV, once part of airborne commandos, spoke out through a recorded message, directing sharp questions toward Nitin Gadkari, federal minister for roads, demanding answers over what took place.
The Incident at Sastan Toll Booth
That night, just past midnight on January twenty-fifth, Shyamraj – wounded in battle, paralyzed after “Operation Parakram” – was moving with his family because of his wife’s job transfer. His account says workers at the toll gate blocked passage unless he paid, even though he showed proper papers.
Shyamraj held up papers during his video remarks – one showed a waiver on toll fees signed by Army HQ, another confirmed combat injury status. These prove eligibility for relief under India’s Toll Law. What stood out was how plainly he laid them down, one after the other. Each page carried official marks, hard to dispute. Not loud claims, just facts resting in frame. Entitlement comes through such paperwork, nothing more needed.
Shyamraj described what happened, pointing out two workers at the toll – Mr. Suresh along with Mr. Shivanath – who would not allow him through. Though he had crossed countless tolls without trouble, at Sastan they insisted on payment before letting him pass, he explained. The incident struck him deeply, especially since it unfolded one day prior to Republic Day. From his seat in the wheelchair, he looked toward them and asked simply, How did I end up like this? Answer me that
Call to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
In his video, Shyamraj spoke directly to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, urging him to step in. What worth does my presence in this wheelchair hold, he questioned, when even someone wounded in battle faces such treatment? The moment carried deep feeling, not just personal pain but something larger hanging in the air.
A wave of shares spread it fast, spotlighting how vets with disabilities are handled at toll booths. Questions bubbled up around whether workers truly notice or care when someone’s struggling through daily tasks.
Toll Staff Respond and Apologise
After people reacted strongly, workers at the Sastan toll booth spoke out to say sorry. Police officer Hariram Shankar said the former soldier did not file any official report. Later, in a recorded statement, he explained that those involved had been called to the station – there they learned how to act properly around veterans and active military members
The toll staff explained the situation from their perspective. “He gave his ex-serviceman ID. We said there is no exemption. He then provided the disability ID, which we forwarded to our seniors. The response was delayed, but later we gave the exemption and apologised. We apologise for hurting the officer,” the staff said, as reported by Times of India.
public reaction and discussion
Outrage spread fast online after the event, where plenty pointed fingers at how the booth workers reacted – also demanding clearer knowledge around who qualifies for military and disability waivers. Noticing a pattern, some stressed that employees manning gates ought to understand paperwork linked to former troops, especially when physical challenges are involved. A quiet frustration lingered: basic respect often seems missing in these moments.
On the edge of big national moments, things like this hit hard. Some said it weighs heavy when soldiers face neglect just before Republic Day cheers begin. People gave credit to Shyamraj – not loud, not angry – but clear in his words. His way stood out: calm, firm, impossible to ignore. What stuck with many was a quiet demand – fix what’s broken. Respect shouldn’t depend on chance or timing. Moments like these shine light where change sleeps.
Lessons Learned and What Comes Next
Still fresh from the incident, confusion lingers at many toll plazas nationwide when it comes to waived fees for war heroes and disabled vets. Though fixes came quickly after outcry, specialists say waiting until trouble strikes is not enough. Clear signs spelling out who qualifies could help – alongside staff workshops that actually mean something. Speeding up ID checks might stop delays before tempers rise. Without steady follow-up, though, even good plans fade into routine neglect. Real change often begins where policy meets practice – and right now, that meeting rarely happens.
Shyamraj now sees it differently – what happened isn’t just about him anymore. Not only did he serve, yet still he runs into walls built by routine bureaucracy. When someone gives years to duty, stumbling over basic processes feels especially heavy. His words aimed at officials aren’t loud, but they carry weight beyond one man’s story. It takes little to make systems kinder, though often that small effort gets missed. People who’ve fought and come back changed deserve better than red tape and silence.
Conclusion
Out of nowhere, a clip surfaces showing what happened at the Sastan toll booth. People start talking again – this time about how veterans and disabled citizens are treated out in the open. Apologies came later from the workers involved. Still, the footage spreading fast shows how thin patience can wear when dignity’s on the line. Respect doesn’t arrive automatically, even for those who’ve given years to service. Awareness lags behind, slow to catch up with reality. Moments like these pull back the curtain.
Few moments after the parade ended, smoke rose behind a checkpoint where officers had blocked access to medical help – proof that flags mean little when rules crush breath.
