God knows why we as a race dont like to smell the coffee and face reality--which in this case was that Karkare and the other cops (those who dies with him) were quite foolisha dn probably incompetent...they saved no ones life! The ASI and the army major were the true heroes...yes we have jornoes like Rajdeep Sardesai screaming at the top of their lungs...India lost one of its best cops in the line of duty..wake up..we gained too..in a sense...we realised the incompetency of our police force and the entire civil administration.

Looks like the only norm for grant of the gallantry awards is death and the status of the personnel dead..the government would have done well to grant the highest peace time award to all persons who died. Not only shinde but there are several hotel exployess and even fire brigade personnel who had exhibited conspicuous bravery beyond the call of duty... their dedicated action has been rendered worthless due to the manner in which the nominations for the award have been accepted.. we continue to have double standard.. someone has been also granted the highest medal just for acting as jeep driver.. kudos to our democratic country...

This discussion makes a wonderful reading. But has any one realised that a police officer has been awarded “Ashok Chakra” for taking the job of a driver and for locking his subordinates including gunmen in the dicky of the qualis jeep. As if this was not enough, noise is now being made for an enquiry as to why the ak 47 gun allotted to him earlier was withdrawn. Would any one like to throw light on this issue as to what this officer would have done with the gun when his hands were engaged in holding the steering wheel of the jeep, To top this all the civic authorities have not lagged behind in adding their share of stupidity by felicitating the officer by naming a public garden after him. I have nothing against the officer who died and his family who is now suffering, they deserve full sympathy but that does not mean that the highest peace time gallantry award of the country is demeaned to such an extent.

We may please note that Gallantry awards are not given based on ranks and designation . It was evident in Kargil when Lt col Viswanathan was not given Param vir chakra but a few lesser ranking personnel got it . So it is clearly for 'EXCEPTIONAL' acts of bravery and not just for 'getting killed'. The qualis with Salaskar at the wheel and Kamte at the front seat had 3 constables in the back row of whom two died . If Karkare deserves Ashok Chakra for being in the qualis , so do the other two. Now can UPA please explain whether theirs was a lesser sacrifice or is it that the constables were not investigating controversial cases that their deaths were forgotten . Truly none in the Qualis deserves Ashok Chakra which is the peace time equivalent of Param Vir Chakra. Good that they gave it to Ombale and the 2 NSG commandoes at least. But why the hell do we have lesser 'Chakras' like kirti Chakras if anyone and everyone is given Ashok Chakra. This way Laloo can stake claim for a 'Bharat Ratna

Mumbai attack could have been averted, had there been an honest and competent workholic ATS Chief in place of Karkare. Despite clear cut warning by UP police last year in january and several other intelligence clues abbout an imminent attack on Taj hotel and CST he didnt take any action and was busy in pleasing sonia by harrassing sadhvi,

I am not sure if the report and the comments are more funny or more saddening. The fact, that even the ultimate sacrifice made can be questioned by those for whom the sacrifice reflects the extent to which parochialism and sub-nationalism influence our "nationalistic" sentiments. C'mon guys, even if one were to buy your argument that some people died because of their carelessness, u gotta realize that they died! Wearing uniform and on the line of duty! Whereas, u were safely tucked up in the comforts of ur homes watching it on tv! The government may have political motives for taking this decision but so have some of those commenting here. References to "communists" and "minorities" clearly indicates that parochialism and sub-nationalist agenda influence our attitude towards those who lay down their lives for the nation.

it is nothing but the useless and dirty politics to award such great honour to Karkare.

To All above who are raising foolish questions or arguements on death of the martyrs. None of those who are commenting above was there to witness what situation was faced by the Brave Police Officers

AN POSTHUMOUS AWARD FOR KARKARE IS NOTHING BUT TO APPEASE HIS COMMUNIST COMRADES AND THE MINORITIES TO GET THEIR VOTES. THE GOVT SHOULD RESCIND ITS DECISION, IF TAKEN, AND DECLARE THE HIGHEST AWARD TO THE DESERVING. KARKARE WAS A BY-PASSER, WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS AMBUSHED BY THE HIDING TERRORISTS. GIVING ASHOK CHAKRA POSTHUMOUSLY TO HIM IS NOTHING BUT AN INSULT TO THE GREAT PRECEDENCE. MAJ.SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN, DIED FIGHTING EYE-TO-EYE WITH THE TERRORISTS, A POSITION HE TOOK UP VOLUNTARILY FORCING HIS SUBORDINATES TO RETREAT. HE ONLY, REPEAT, HE ONLY, DESERVES TO BE AWARDED ASHOK CHAKRA, WHILE ALL OTHERS BE MADE ELIGIBLE FOR POLICE MEDAL OR PRESIDENT'S POLICE MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY. THE NSG COMMANDOS PERFORMED GREATER SERVICE, WHICH SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED. ACTION OTHERWISE WILL DEMORALIZE THEM. ONE MORE PENDING ACTION WITH THE GOVT. IS AWARDING BHARAT RATNA POSTHUMOUSLY TO FIELD MARSHAL S.H.F.J.MANEKSHAW. PLEASE DO NOT PLAY POLITICS IN THIS CASES.

Please read the text of the news item correctly. Only 2 of the 16 policemen recommended by Maharashtra Govt. will be awarded Ashok Chakras. In all 9 Ashok Chakras are to be awarded. There is no mention of inclusion or exclusion of any other individuals including Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan of NSG.

Poor UPI Govt. They did not know what to do when the terrorits struck. Made some National security group and appointed Raju to head. Media says that he did not have a chair to sit! Defence minister says our Armed forces are only 30% equiped to fight and he is going to modenise it. and now Ashoka Chakrs for those fellows who died foolishly . Isn't enough to divert the attention of the public? Who cares for those who died a heros death fighting the terrorists. Denying what is due is to the defence forces is an old game burocratic lobby conveniently play under the cover of their political masters. And politicians dont see anything other than the vote bank.

Honouring Karkare is like an honour given for suicides. That is exactly what he did without any fighting and without exhibiting any bravery. Shame on UPA!

Karkare should not have been given the award. He did nothing to fight the terrorists. He was completely ill prepared to handle such a crisis. A person of his position should have known that he was going to the ront without preparation. The nation has sympathy with his family but that doesn't mean that the nation should bestow honours on someone just for being killed. It is most unfortunate that Karkare has been awarded like that.

the right attitude approach of the government in honouring the deserving personalities.

We salute all who given their life in Mumbai attacks. Karkare, Omble and all other who honouring really deserve our tears. They all live in our heart. Jai Hind

If indeed this is true then I am scandalized and disgusted.The Truly deserving brave sons of India for this award are Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, ASI Tukaram Amble and Havildar Gajendra Singh. ATS chief Hemant Karkare had he been alive should have been demoted and sacked for incompetence and complacency.I fail to understand how a police boss who goes out and gets killed out of sheer ignorance and incompetence can be given this high award. Is there no Dharma and justice left in India? Is sycophancy, regionalism and votebank politics going to be the determinants for awards, recognition and service to the nation? Wake up people or else we may go back in time to be exploited and enslaved once all over again.

Its absurd and irrational to Award Ashoka Chakra to Karkare instead of NSG Major who died in action. I do not know the reason the MaJor Sandeep Unnikrishnan's ommission. It is indeed a shame for India if it is awarded to Karkare (khurkure). Why not Kerala

Karkare does not deserve a ashoka chakra. He was accidentlay shot. Had he been alive he should have been sacked for wasting time on the malegaon blast case and fulfill his political masters command rather than go and catch real terrorists. he was shot like a sitting duck. What a shame

Ashok chakra to Karkare is being to tell the people that persons who work on UPA directions get rewarded in their life and after life too. with this rate you can see a Param vir chakra for some Joker soon.

why don't you losers try and do something for a change? all you sit and do is criticize people who have risked their lives for jackasses like you. send your sons or husbands to do the same if you dare.

Why no Ashok Chakra to A.R.Antulay???

All the 16 desrve the medal.Nobody is above other cause all laid down their lives saving our nation and innocent lives.Sandeep and omble are thye most desrving names among all and evidence is in favour of them.UPA is trying to please whom???no idea,its gross injustice meted out to their families.Its government's responsibility to take care of the families and their kids.A new controversy has been created by the UPA govt by bringing in only 2 names.People would not be quiet if things happen this way.

Karkare don't deserve a medal at all. He has brought disrepute to the post of ATF Chief. Those who deserve are ASI Tukaram Omle and Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. UPA Govt is degrading the value of Ashok Chakra by giving it an undeserving person. In fact the most deserving candidate is a boy from Bangalore who fought the terrorists single handedly whom the eve the terrorists mentioned in their speach. Had he been successful a lot of life more would have been saved. Go and search for his parents and award the Ashok Chakra to that boy posthumously instead of giving the Ashok Chakra to a person who was got killed foolishly without giving a fight. Two terrorists just appeared from the bush, shot and killed the ATF Chief and party, threw their body out and took their vehicle for further killing. AND an Ashok Chakra for his bravery! Shame on INDIA.

MY GOD !! THIS IS TOTALLY BIASED DECISION. WHOM ARE THE UPA GOVT PLEASING? IT IS A WRONG DECISION TO AWARD LATE KARKARE WITH THE AWARD. HE DID NOTHING, NOT FIRED A SHOT AT THE ENEMY.. STILL HE GETS ASHOK CHAKRA!! WHOM ARE THEY PLEASING? THE COMMUNISTS? TO ENSURE THEIR SUPPORT IN FORMING THE NEXT GOVT? HIS WIFE IS TRAVELLING THROUGH THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE COUNTRY HAND IN HAND WITH THE COMMUNISTS ON MUSIC STAGES. THE FAMILY IS NOT IN MOURNING. THERE IS A FAMILY LIVE IN SORROW IN BANGALORE.. SORRY.. YEDIYURAPPA'S STATE IT IS !!! SORRY... SORRY.... THEIR TEARS HAVE NO VALUE... THEY LOST THE LONE SON, FIGHTING HEAD ON WITH THE TERRORISTS... WHICH GOVT COULD RESCIND THIS DECISION AND AWARD LATE MAJ.UNNIKRISHNAN ASHOK CHAKRA POSTHUMOUSLY?

THIS IS TOTALLY A BIASED DECISION. WHOSE RECOMMENDATION WEIGHED MUCH? RECOMMENDATION OF MAHARASHTRA CM OR THE NSG / ARMY CHIEF? A PROFILE IF PREPARED BY A DEAF PERSON WILL GIVE EDGE TO LATE MAJ.UNNIKRISHNAN, FOR HIS EFFORTS IN AVOIDING MORE CASUALTIES TO HIS SUBORDINATES AND HIMSELF TAKING THE ENEMY SINGLE HANDEDLY. IT IS PERHAPS FOR THE FIRST TIME, SUCH POLITICS INTERVENTED IN RECOGNIZING THE SERVICES OF SUCH GREAT SOLDIERS ON POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS. THE UPDA GOVT DID NOTHING TO CONSOLE HIS BEREAVED FAMILY AND NOW DID INJUSTICE WITH THIS TOTALLY BIASED DECISION. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THEY DO NOT WANT SOMEONE FROM THE BJP RULED KARNATAKA, TO BE BESTOWED WITH THE AWARD. THEIR COULD NOT FEEL THE PAIN OF THAT BEREAVED FAMILY. ONLY KARKARE'S LIFE WAS VALUABLE TO THE UPA GOVT AS HE STOOD AGAINST THE HINDU SANYASIN AND HINDU CAUSE. KARKARE DID NOT FIRE EVEN ONE GUN SHOT AT THE TERRORIST, BEFORE THAT HE WAS KILLED. IS ASHOK CHAKRA SO CHEAP TO BE AWARDED THIS WAY?