Following the recent deaths of two Agniveers during a firing practice in Nashik, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again raised concerns about the Centre’s Agniveer scheme. The deaths of Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21) have sparked renewed criticism of the scheme, with Gandhi leading the charge on social media.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha questioned the government’s handling of the Agniveer scheme, particularly its impact on the families of deceased soldiers. He demanded clarity on whether the families of the two Agniveers would receive timely compensation and whether it would match the benefits given to soldiers who die in the line of duty.
Gandhi emphasized the inequality in benefits between Agniveers and regular soldiers, questioning why the families of Agniveers would not be entitled to the same pension and other government facilities. “When the responsibilities and sacrifices of both soldiers are the same, why is there discrimination after their martyrdom?” he asked.
He further accused the government of devaluing the lives of Agniveers compared to regular soldiers, stating, “The Prime Minister and Defense Minister should explain why the life of one soldier is considered more valuable than that of another.”
Describing the Agniveer scheme as an injustice to the army and an insult to the martyrdom of soldiers, Gandhi urged citizens to unite against it. He called for people to join the ‘Jai Jawan’ movement aimed at abolishing the BJP government’s Agniveer scheme and securing the future of both the country’s youth and its armed forces.
The tragic incident occurred on Thursday during a practice session at the Artillery Centre in Nashik. According to an official statement, the two Agniveers were taken to MH Hospital in Deolali after sustaining fatal injuries, but were declared dead on arrival. The local police have since launched an investigation into the incident, with Havildar Ajit Kumar filing a formal complaint.
नासिक में ट्रेनिंग के दौरान दो अग्निवीर – गोहिल विश्वराजसिंह और सैफत शित – का निधन एक दर्दनाक घटना है। उनके परिवारों के प्रति मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं हैं।
यह घटना एक बार फिर अग्निवीर योजना पर गंभीर सवाल उठाती है, जिनका जवाब देने में BJP सरकार असफल रही है।
– क्या गोहिल और सैफत के…
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 13, 2024
