Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Rebuts Rahul Gandhi’s Claims on Agniveer Scheme

New Delhi, 1st June 2024: In New Delhi on Monday, a commotion erupted in the Lok Sabha after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP over the ‘Agniveer’ scheme, alleging that Agniveers are not recognized as ‘jawans’ and are ineligible for a pension. In response, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to Gandhi’s remarks, emphasizing that financial assistance of one crore rupees is provided to the families of Agniveers who lose their lives in the line of duty or during wartime.

Rajnath Singh accused Rahul Gandhi of misleading the Lok Sabha with incorrect statements about the Agniveer scheme. “He should not attempt to mislead the House with false statements. Financial assistance of one crore rupees is given to the family of an Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war,” Singh asserted.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had pointed out that Agniveers are not referred to as ‘jawans’ and that those serving for four years do not receive a pension. “An Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but is not called a ‘martyr’… ‘Agniveer’ is treated as a disposable laborer,” he stated in parliament.

Gandhi further criticized the scheme by comparing the training periods of Agniveers and Chinese soldiers. “On one side, you train him for six months, while Chinese soldiers receive five years of training. You give our jawan a rifle and place him against them. You instill fear in his heart. You create a disparity between two jawans, where one receives a pension and the other does not. And then you claim to be patriots. What kind of patriots are these?” Gandhi questioned, targeting the BJP-led NDA government.

During his parliamentary address, Gandhi declared that the Agniveer scheme would be abolished if the INDIA alliance came to power.