Agnipath scheme: Congress flays PM Modi's defense of Agnipath Scheme at Kargil War Memorial Event
PTC Wenb Desk: Congress leader Karti Chidambaram has openly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for defending the controversial 'Agnipath' scheme during an event to honour Kargil War soldiers. Chidambaram said the scheme should be abolished and that the Army must not be politicised. He said it was the need of the hour to fully train soldiers to address modern warfare requirements.
"The Agniveer scheme should be scrapped. Modern warfare necessitates fully trained soldiers, and this scheme does not provide that. It fails to meet the Army's needs," Chidambaram was reported as saying as per a report on NDTV.
He added, "The Indian Army has a proud history and should not be used for political gains. We honour the Army, not the other way around."
Another Congress leader, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, supported Chidambaram's views. Randhawa said there was the need for clarity on the future of Agniveers after their four-year service term ends.
"While the Prime Minister accuses us of spreading confusion and speaks of what will happen in 30 years, he should focus on what happens to Agniveers after their four-year term," Randhawa said.
The Controversial Agnipath Scheme
Introduced in 2022, the Agnipath scheme aims to recruit personnel for short-term service in the armed forces to lower the age profile of the services. Known as Agniveers, these recruits do not qualify for regular benefits such as pensions for their families if they die in service.
The scheme has ignited significant debate. A parliamentary panel recently recommended that families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty should receive benefits similar to those provided to families of regular military personnel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, earlier on Friday, accused the Congress of spreading misinformation about the Agnipath scheme to dissuade young people from joining the armed forces on short-term contracts.
"Congress did not want our defense forces to have the latest fighter planes. They oppose the Agnipath Scheme, which aims to make our soldiers younger and more combat-ready," Modi said at the Kargil War memorial.
"They claim the Agniveer Scheme is designed to save on pensions by Narendra Modi. They forget that a soldier recruited today will be eligible for a pension after 30 years, and by then, I would be 105. They want people to believe that I am foolish enough to undermine the country's defense forces," said PM Modi.
Agniveer Ajay Kumar's case
Earlier this month, a significant controversy erupted when the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who died in the line of duty, demanded that he be given 'hero' status. The family argued that monetary compensation could not replace Ajay Kumar's sacrifice.
- With inputs from agencies
