We will again light Amar Jawan Jyoti for our soldiers: Rahul

Congress leaders criticised the Centre's decision to extinguish and shift the Amar Jawan Jyoti from India Gate to the new war memorial. The party, however, was cautious in reacting to the decision to place a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose under the canopy which once had a statue of King George V.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "it is a matter of great sadness that the immortal flame that used to burn for our brave soldiers will be extinguished today. Some people cannot understand patriotism and sacrifice - never mind... We will once again light the Amar Jawan Jyoti for our soldiers!"

Congress Lok Sabha party leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "the Amar Jawan Jyoti was established by the late former PM Indira Gandhi. They want to erase history as it was not done by Narendra Modi. The tableau on Netaji from Bengal was not added in the Republic Day Parade and now they are trying to play politics with Netaji." Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted, "one cannot even imagine India Gate without the Amar Jawan Jyoti. BJP leaders are proving that they carry forward the legacy of cowards who didn't participate in the Independence movement or nation building. They have no valour, sense of sacrifice or respect for soldiers."