New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused Congress of spreading lies over the Agnipath scheme to ensure that youth do not sign up for short-term recruitment in the armed forces.
Responding to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in the joint session of Parliament, Modi termed the Congress's actions regarding the Agnipath initiative as an attempt to weaken the armed forces.
"Lies about recruiting into the military are spread to ensure that young people do not enlist in the military. There is a conspiracy going on here. After all, at whose behest Congress is trying to weaken our military and spread lies, " he said.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Agnipath scheme and said the families of Agniveers, who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty, were not even entitled to any compensation.
"Congress is spreading lies about defense reforms in order to weaken them. Congress will never be able to see the Indian armed forces getting stronger," Modi said, adding that the armed forces had to suffer due to lack of timely reforms in last.
"These things should not be said in public, that's why my lips are sealed," he said, adding that the nation was also misled about the acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets.
Modi said the government was initiating reforms to make the armed forces battle-ready.
"In recent years many things have changed. After the appointment of the Chief of the Defense Staff, the integration of forces has been strengthened," he stated.
Modi said the nation's armed forces should be young and there is a need to increase their presence in the armed forces.
"We need to increase the power of youth in the armed forces. Therefore, we are carrying out reforms to ensure that our armed forces are combat ready," Modi said.
Responding to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address in the joint session of Parliament, Modi termed the Congress's actions regarding the Agnipath initiative as an attempt to weaken the armed forces.
"Lies about recruiting into the military are spread to ensure that young people do not enlist in the military. There is a conspiracy going on here. After all, at whose behest Congress is trying to weaken our military and spread lies, " he said.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the Agnipath scheme and said the families of Agniveers, who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty, were not even entitled to any compensation.
"Congress is spreading lies about defense reforms in order to weaken them. Congress will never be able to see the Indian armed forces getting stronger," Modi said, adding that the armed forces had to suffer due to lack of timely reforms in last.
"These things should not be said in public, that's why my lips are sealed," he said, adding that the nation was also misled about the acquisition of the Rafale fighter jets.
Modi said the government was initiating reforms to make the armed forces battle-ready.
"In recent years many things have changed. After the appointment of the Chief of the Defense Staff, the integration of forces has been strengthened," he stated.
Modi said the nation's armed forces should be young and there is a need to increase their presence in the armed forces.
"We need to increase the power of youth in the armed forces. Therefore, we are carrying out reforms to ensure that our armed forces are combat ready," Modi said.
