“Serve In Army First”: Union Minister VK Singh Criticizes Rahul Gandhi's Remarks on Agniveer Scheme

Union Minister VK Singh criticizes Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the Agniveer scheme, urging Gandhi to understand military service before commenting, and accuses Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of habitual lying.

Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd) has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments about the Agniveer scheme. Gandhi had pledged to cancel the scheme if his party comes to power, claiming it reduces soldiers to mere laborers.

In response, General Singh advised Gandhi to serve in the Army before making statements about the Agniveer scheme. "It is not right to say anything if he does not know the Army," Singh remarked.

General Singh also accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of habitual lying, saying, "It is Arvind Kejriwal’s quality that he lies in such a way that he is speaking the truth. But the people can see the truth."

Rahul Gandhi's criticisms of the Agniveer scheme were made during a public rally in Mahendragarh, Haryana, on May 22. He accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of turning soldiers into laborers and promised to scrap the scheme if the Congress-led INDIA bloc comes to power on June 4.

Gandhi highlighted the disparity between traditional soldiers and those recruited under the Agniveer scheme, stating that Agniveers would not receive the same pensions, status, or facilities. "This Agniveer will neither get the status of ‘shaheed‘ nor any pension or any other facility," he claimed.

He further alleged that the scheme is unwanted by the Army and was imposed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). Gandhi declared that the first action of the INDIA bloc government would be to dismantle the Agniveer scheme. "We are going to tear this Agniveer scheme into pieces and dump it in the dustbin," he stated.

Background on the Agniveer Scheme

The Agniveer scheme is a recruitment initiative by the Indian government aimed at enrolling young people into the military for short-term service. This program is designed to bring more youth into the armed forces and to address the issue of an aging military. However, it has faced criticism from various quarters, including opposition parties, who argue that it does not provide adequate long-term benefits for those who serve under it.

Political Reactions

General VK Singh’s sharp response underscores the deep political divisions surrounding military reforms in India. While the ruling party defends the scheme as a necessary modernization effort, opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi argue that it undermines the dignity and benefits traditionally accorded to soldiers.

Conclusion

The debate over the Agniveer scheme reflects broader tensions in Indian politics about how best to modernize the military while ensuring fair treatment for those who serve. As the controversy continues, the scheme's future remains uncertain, contingent on the outcomes of political struggles and elections.