Rahul Gandhi launches Jai Jawan movement to remove Agnipath scheme

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday launched the 'Jai Jawan' movement to remove the Agnipath scheme and "secure the future of the country's youth and army".

He termed the Agnipath scheme as an injustice to the army and an insult to the martyrdom of the soldiers. This comes after two Agniveers, Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21) were killed in a blast during training in Nashik.

The Congress leader offered his condolences to their families and raised questions regarding the army recruitment scheme.



"My deepest condolences to their families. This incident once again raises serious questions on the Agniveer scheme, which the BJP government has failed to answer," said Gandhi.

"Will the families of Gohil and Saifat receive timely compensation that is equivalent to the compensation for any other martyred soldier?" he added.

He further questioned the scheme's pension structure and said that it was a discrimination of their martyrdom.

"Why will the families of Agniveers not get the benefits of pension and other government facilities? When the responsibilities and sacrifices of both the soldiers are the same, then why this discrimination after their martyrdom?"


"The Agneepath scheme is an injustice to the army and an insult to the martyrdom of our brave soldiers. The Prime Minister and Defense Minister should answer why the life of one soldier is more valuable than that of another soldier? Let's stand together against this injustice. Join our 'Jai Jawan' movement today to remove the BJP government's 'Agniveer' scheme and secure the future of the country's youth and army!" Gandhi said.

Two Agniveers were killed when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during firing practice at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra's Nashik district, police said on Friday. The incident occurred at the Artillery Centre in the Nashik Road area on Thursday afternoon, an official said.

A team of Agniveers was firing an Indian field gun when one of the shells exploded. The duo sustained injuries and were taken to MH Hospital, Deolali, where they were pronounced dead, the official said.