New Delhi: The eternal flame 'Amar Jawan Jyoti', a memorial constructed after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 to commemorate the martyred and unknown soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who died during the war, has not been extinguished, but it is being merged with flame at National War Memorial (NWM), a government source has told news agency ANI. 

Congress leaders alleged that the flame of 'Amar Jawan Jyoti' was extinguished by the Centre.

Manish Tewari, Congress leader said, "Whatever is being done is a national tragedy and an attempt to rewrite history. Merging Amar Jawan Jyoti with War Memorial Torch means erasing history. BJP has built National War Memorial, that does not mean they can extinguish Amar Jawan Jyoti."

In reply, the government sources denied the allegation made by the opposition. 

"The flame of 'Amar Jawan Jyoti is not being extinguished. It is being merged with flame at National War Memorial. It was an odd thing to see that the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti paid homage to martyrs of 1971 and other wars but none of their names are present there," GoI Sources told ANI. 

"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, added GoI Sources.

"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."