On the eve of Republic Day, 25 January 2026, a wheelchair-bound retired Army commando was allegedly humiliated and stopped at the Sasthan toll plaza in Udupi, Karnataka, despite possessing valid exemption documents.
Commando Shyamraj of the elite 21 Para Special Forces, a war casualty of Operation Parakram, was travelling with his wife when staff reportedly refused to honour his military ID and disability certificates.
After a video of the veteran questioning the staff’s lack of respect went viral, the incident sparked national outrage on social media. In response to the backlash, the toll plaza employees issued a formal video apology, and local police intervened to sensitise the staff on handling veterans.
A Hero Slighting In The Name Of Protocol
The confrontation at the Sasthan toll plaza on National Highway 66 has exposed a disturbing gap between administrative rules and ground-level empathy. Commando Shyamraj, who sacrificed his mobility for the nation, was forced to defend his dignity while simply trying to pass through a toll gate.
Despite showing his ex-serviceman identity card and medical documents, the staff reportedly made him wait for an extended period, questioning the validity of his exemption.
This incident occurred at a time when the nation was preparing to celebrate the bravery of its armed forces, making the perceived disrespect even more poignant for the public and the veteran community.
Para Commando
Commando Shyamraj’s journey is one of immense grit and survival. A member of the 21 Para Special Forces, he was a victim of a landmine blast during Operation Parakram in 2002 while returning from a counter-insurgency operation.
The explosion was so severe that it claimed the lives of 15 of his fellow soldiers; Shyamraj was one of only two survivors. After 15 days in a coma and multiple surgeries, he was left with permanent spinal injuries and has been wheelchair-bound ever since.
His wife, who was with him during the toll incident, is a serving officer in the Military Nursing Service, adding another layer of service to the family’s profile.
Viral Outrage
The video recorded by Shyamraj captured him calmly but firmly explaining that he had crossed numerous toll booths across the country without such harassment. The footage showed the staff appearing dismissive, which acted as a catalyst for a massive social media campaign demanding accountability.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Udupi police summoned the toll plaza employees. Following this, the involved staff members released a video stating, “We deeply regret the inconvenience and hurt caused to the officer and the veteran community.”
Failures In Toll Management
This incident is not an isolated case but highlights a recurring issue at toll plazas across India where staff are often untrained in identifying specific government exemptions.
While the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) provides clear guidelines for toll waivers for the armed forces and gallantry award winners, the implementation at private toll booths often results in friction.
The lack of a digitalised or automated verification system for such exemptions often leaves veterans at the mercy of ground-level staff who may lack the necessary sensitivity or knowledge of military documentation.
This encounter has renewed calls for a more respectful and streamlined process for those who have served the country.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that a nation’s character is judged by how it treats its heroes, especially those who carry the physical scars of their service. It is a matter of profound shame that a war hero who lost his ability to walk for our safety was made to feel like a “beggar” for a rightful exemption.
Respect for our veterans should not be restricted to social media posts or annual parades; it must be a non-negotiable standard in every civil interaction. We advocate for mandatory sensitivity training and clear signage at all toll plazas to prevent such humiliating encounters.
