In New Delhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday alleged that Defense Minister Rajnath Singh "lied" in Parliament on the issue of compensation to the families of "martyr" Agniveers and demanded an apology for that.
The Congress leader also shared an such assistance.
In his video message, Gandhi stated that he had stated in his speech in Parliament that the protection of truth is the basis of all religion.
"In response, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, before the Lord Shiva photo, lied to the country, its armed forces and the Agniveers about compensation," Gandhi said in the video.
He then referred to the alleged statement of the father of an Agniveer martyr, Ajay Singh.
Ajay Singh's father said that Rajnath Singh made the statement that the families of the martyrs had received compensation of Rs 1 million, but his family had not received such assistance.
"Rahul Gandhi is raising our voice in Parliament that the families of martyrs should be given all necessary help. Agniveer recruitment should be stopped and regular recruitment should be restored," he said.
Gandhi said the defense minister had "lied" to martyr Ajay Singh's family, the armed forces and the country's youth, and should apologize to them.
Gandh's fresh attack came after Rajnath Singh refuted the opposition leader's claims in Lok Sabha about the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, saying it was launched after receiving suggestions from 158 organisations.
Gandhi on Monday criticized the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, saying the government does not even grant them "shaheed" (martyr) status and no compensation is offered to their families if they die in combat.
Singh, who intervened when Gandhi was speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's speech, said that an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty receives compensation of Rs 1 crore.
The Union minister had asked Gandhi not to mislead Parliament and also asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to delete the former Congress president's claims about the Agnipath scheme.
Intervening, the Defense Minister said: "I would like to humbly request the leader of the opposition not to try to mislead Parliament. Regarding the Agniveer plan, direct communication was established with many people, 158 organisations, their suggestions were taken, then this was presented the Agniveer scheme. This scheme was introduced after a lot of thought.”
"And I would also like to make it clear that these types of plans are operational in many countries. It is in the United States and in the United Kingdom. People there have no objection. Without understanding the Agniveer plan, without getting adequate information about it. .. to mislead the House like this cannot be considered appropriate," the minister added.
After Singh's rebuttal, Gandhi said, "Rajnath Singh has an opinion and I have an opinion, but the Agniveers know the truth. The Agniveers know what they have to face."
The Congress leader also shared an such assistance.
In his video message, Gandhi stated that he had stated in his speech in Parliament that the protection of truth is the basis of all religion.
"In response, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, before the Lord Shiva photo, lied to the country, its armed forces and the Agniveers about compensation," Gandhi said in the video.
He then referred to the alleged statement of the father of an Agniveer martyr, Ajay Singh.
Ajay Singh's father said that Rajnath Singh made the statement that the families of the martyrs had received compensation of Rs 1 million, but his family had not received such assistance.
"Rahul Gandhi is raising our voice in Parliament that the families of martyrs should be given all necessary help. Agniveer recruitment should be stopped and regular recruitment should be restored," he said.
Gandhi said the defense minister had "lied" to martyr Ajay Singh's family, the armed forces and the country's youth, and should apologize to them.
Gandh's fresh attack came after Rajnath Singh refuted the opposition leader's claims in Lok Sabha about the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, saying it was launched after receiving suggestions from 158 organisations.
Gandhi on Monday criticized the Agnipath scheme for short-term military recruitment, saying the government does not even grant them "shaheed" (martyr) status and no compensation is offered to their families if they die in combat.
Singh, who intervened when Gandhi was speaking on the motion of thanks to the President's speech, said that an Agniveer who lays down his life in the line of duty receives compensation of Rs 1 crore.
The Union minister had asked Gandhi not to mislead Parliament and also asked Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to delete the former Congress president's claims about the Agnipath scheme.
Intervening, the Defense Minister said: "I would like to humbly request the leader of the opposition not to try to mislead Parliament. Regarding the Agniveer plan, direct communication was established with many people, 158 organisations, their suggestions were taken, then this was presented the Agniveer scheme. This scheme was introduced after a lot of thought.”
"And I would also like to make it clear that these types of plans are operational in many countries. It is in the United States and in the United Kingdom. People there have no objection. Without understanding the Agniveer plan, without getting adequate information about it. .. to mislead the House like this cannot be considered appropriate," the minister added.
After Singh's rebuttal, Gandhi said, "Rajnath Singh has an opinion and I have an opinion, but the Agniveers know the truth. The Agniveers know what they have to face."
