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Rahul Gandhi Lies About Agnipath Scheme, Army Rebuts Claim; Here Are 11 Instances Where Rahul Gandhi & Congress Party Insulted Indian Armed Forces

July 4, 2024
The Commune

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of misleading Parliament about compensation to families of deceased Agniveers.

On 1 July 2024, Gandhi attacked the government, claiming that Agniveers were not granted the status of martyrs and were akin to “use and throw” labour. In response, Singh maintained that if an Agniveer dies in war or at the border, their family receives ₹1 crore.

Gandhi released a video on 3 July 2024 featuring the father of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who was killed in a landmine explosion in Naushera, Jammu & Kashmir, in January. The father claimed that the family had not received any compensation or help from the Centre, despite Singh’s assertion that families of martyred Agniveers receive ₹1 crore in compensation. The father stated that while they had received some assistance from the Punjab government, nothing had been provided by the central government.

In the video, Gandhi demanded an apology from Singh, saying, “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lied in Parliament about the assistance given to the family of the martyred Agniveer. Martyr Agniveer Ajay’s father has himself told the truth and exposed their lies. The Defence Minister should apologise to the Parliament, the country, the army, and the family of the martyr.”

Army’s Rebuttal

Hours after Gandhi’s statement, the Indian Army issued a clarification on social media, asserting that compensation had been paid to Kumar’s family. “It is emphasised that the Indian Army salutes the supreme sacrifice made by Agniveer Ajay Kumar. The last rites were carried out with full Military Honours. Of the total amount due, the family of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid ₹98.39 lakhs. Ex-Gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately ₹67 lakhs, as applicable according to the provisions of the Agniveer Scheme, will be paid on Final Account Settlement shortly post due Police verification. The total amount will be ₹1.65 Cr approximately.”

The army reiterated that emoluments due to fallen soldiers, including Agniveers, are paid expeditiously to their next of kin.

Terms Of Agnipath Scheme

The terms of the Agnipath Scheme clearly state that if an Agniveer soldier becomes a battle casualty, his next of kin would receive:

  • Non-Contributory Insurance sum, amounting to ₹48 Lakh
  • Ex-gratia of ₹44 Lakh
  • Seva Nidhi contributed by the Agniveer (30%), with an equal matching contribution by the Govt, and interest thereon
  • Pay of balance tenure from date of death, till completion of four years (more than ₹13 Lakh, in the case of Laxman
  • Contribution of ₹8 Lakh from Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund
  • Immediate financial assistance of ₹30 thousand from the Army Wives Welfare Association

Defence Minister’s Rebuttal

Defence Minister Singh refuted Gandhi’s claims in Lok Sabha, stating that the Agnipath scheme was introduced after consultations with 158 organizations and that it provides due compensation to the families of martyred Agniveers. He urged Gandhi not to mislead Parliament and requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to expunge Gandhi’s remarks on the scheme. Singh also noted that similar recruitment schemes exist in countries like the US and the UK without objections.

This is not the first time that Rahul Gandhi is lying about the Armed Forces. Here are 10 other instances where he and the Congress insulted the Indian Armed Forces.

About Agnipath

Rahul Gandhi had parroted the claims made by the banned terror outfit PFI about the Agnipath Scheme saying that it will create unemployed youths trained in guns, which is similar to what the PFI said – that the scheme is a ploy to train Hindu youths in weapons to attack Muslims.

On OROP

He also tried to create divisions between officers and jawans (soldiers) regarding the ‘One Rank One Pension‘ (OROP) scheme stating officers were receiving greater financial benefits from the OROP scheme compared to the jawans, who constitute the majority of the armed forces and were supposedly receiving a lower amount.

Lied About Chinese Troops “Thrashing” Indian Army At LAC

On 16 December 2022, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that Chinese troops are thrashing Indian army soldiers along the line of actual control (LAC).

Rahul Gandhi’s comments came a week after clashes broke out between the Indian and Chinese troops on 9 December 2022, in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. However, the truth was that Indian Army soldiers not only thrashed the Chinese troops but also chased them away across the LAC.

No Need For Armed Forces If Labourers Are Used

In 2021, Rahul Gandhi also said that India would not need its Army, Navy, or Air Force against China if Indian labourers, farmers, and workers were used.

Armed forces veterans condemned this statement vehemently.

Repeatedly Claimed Chinese Intruded Into India

Rahul Gandhi repeatedly claimed in his public statements that the Chinese have intruded into India bringing down the morale of the armed forces.

Cong Leader Deletes Post Praising India, Slamming China

Just a month before the clash in May 2020 when the tension between the countries was escalating, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury posted a tweet in which he slammed China and praised the Indian army.

However, the tweet was soon deleted. It is a matter of wonder who might have asked Chowdhury to delete the post.

Mocked Indian Army Jawans, Dog Unit On Intl Yoga Day

In June 2019 right after a drubbing defeat in the Lok Sabha polls, Rahul Gandhi tweeted a photo of Indian Army dogs and their handlers performing exercises on International Yoga Day.

In just one tweet Rahul Gandhi insulted the Indian Army jawans, the incredible dog unit of the Army, Yoga tradition, and the country as a whole with his ‘New India’ jibe.

Allegedly Caught Using Mobile While Paying Respect to Pulwama Attack Martyrs

Rahul Gandhi was seen using his mobile phone while paying respects to the soldiers martyred in the Pulwama attack. This incident is not isolated to Gandhi alone; the Congress party as a whole has a history of actions perceived as demeaning to the Indian armed forces.

Demanded Proof Of Surgical Strikes

Congress had demanded proof of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army following the Uri Attack. Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, RS MP Digvijay Singh too asserted that there was no proof that the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes thereby peddling Pakistani propaganda.

Not Commemorating Kargil Vijay Diwas

The then Congress-led UPA government did not even commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas from 2004 to 2009 since it was seen as “BJP’s War“

The Congress’ contempt for the Indian Armed Forces probably flows from the fountainhead of its ideologue Nehru. Because he is the man who said: “We don’t need a defence plan. Our policy is ahimsa (non-violence). We foresee no military threats. Scrap the army! The police are good enough to meet our security needs”, Nehru had allegedly told Lt General Sir Robert Lockhart, the first commander in chief of India.

(with inputs from Hindustan Times)

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