During a rally in Loharu, Haryana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed concerns regarding the future of Agniveers, soldiers recruited under the Agnipath scheme. Shah reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to ensuring job opportunities for Agniveers once their four-year tenure in the Army is over. He emphasized that Agniveers will be given 20% reservation in police services and that the party will take responsibility for their employment.
Attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi
In his speech, Shah strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for “playing politics” over the Agnipath scheme. He accused the Congress party of spreading fake narratives about the scheme, particularly the claim that Agniveers would be left without jobs or pensions. Referring to former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Shah said the Congress was attempting to deceive the public.
The Agnipath Scheme and Its Impact
Introduced in June 2022, the Agnipath scheme aimed to modernize the recruitment process in India’s armed forces by bringing in soldiers for a four-year period, with a possibility for 25% retention. While the scheme promises to create a younger and fitter military, it has faced opposition, particularly in Haryana, where joining the armed forces is a popular career choice. The Congress party has vowed to scrap the scheme if elected, leading to protests and discontent among aspiring soldiers.
One Rank, One Pension Achievement
Shah reminded the public that the BJP fulfilled the long-standing demand of “One Rank, One Pension” soon after Narendra Modi was elected as Prime Minister. He contrasted this with Congress’s inability to implement the policy despite decades of promises.
J&K Elections and Congress’s Alleged Terrorism Agenda
In a sharp attack on Congress’s agenda for Jammu and Kashmir, Shah claimed that Rahul Gandhi and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah plan to release terrorists and engage in talks with Pakistan if they win the upcoming elections.