Rahul Gandhi on Agniveer Scheme
TL;DR
Rahul Gandhi strongly opposes the Agniveer Scheme, promising to scrap the policy if his party is elected to power.
Key Points
He promised to scrap the Agniveer scheme during his first election rally in Haryana.
He stated the policy wants to benefit Adani by taking away pensions from Agniveers.
He launched the 'Jai Jawan' movement specifically with the objective to remove the Agnipath scheme.
Summary
Rahul Gandhi has taken a firm, oppositional stance against the government's Agniveer Scheme, publicly pledging to scrap the policy upon his party's return to power. He frames the scheme as detrimental to the armed forces, claiming it will snatch pensions from soldiers and questioning why the life of one soldier is not considered equal to another's under the current system. This position was a key component of his pre-election campaigning, where he launched a movement to repeal the scheme.
His critique suggests the scheme is an attempt to financially benefit certain corporate interests, specifically mentioning a figure associated with a major industrial conglomerate, by undermining the long-term security and benefits of military service. The opposition has been consistent, positioning the repeal of Agniveer as a core promise for restoring the traditional structure and morale of the Indian armed forces, contrasting it with the current administration's approach to defence recruitment.
Key Quotes
Will the families of Gohil and Saifat receive timely compensation that is equivalent to the compensation for any other martyred soldier?
Frequently Asked Questions
Rahul Gandhi is a strong opponent of the Agniveer Scheme, consistently stating that it undermines the Indian Armed Forces. He has publicly pledged that his party will scrap the scheme if they are voted into power.
Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the scheme is designed to snatch pensions from soldiers who serve under the new structure. He contrasts the temporary service under Agniveer with the established long-term service and benefits of the traditional recruitment system.
His stance appears consistent, centering on the promise to repeal the scheme, which he views as a flawed policy. He actively campaigned on this promise, indicating a firm commitment to reversing the policy.
Sources6
Rahul Gandhi Spreading Propaganda On Agniveer Scheme: Amit Shah
Rahul Gandhi launches 'Jai Jawan' movement to remove Agnipath scheme
Agniveer to snatch pensions, Rahul Gandhi says govt wants to benefit Adani
Rahul Gandhi slams Agnipath scheme, asks why life of one soldier not same as another's
In Rahul Gandhi's first election rally in Haryana, he promises to scrap Agniveer scheme and waive farmer debts
We will scrap Agniveer Scheme: Shri Rahul Gandhi
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.