Opposition rebukes Modi’s ‘petty politics’ and ‘blatant lies’ over Agnipath remarks on Kargil Vijay Diwas

The Opposition Congress party, on Friday (Jul 26)attackedIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his comment on the Agnipathscheme during a speech to markKargil Vijay Diwas.

During his speech, PM Modi praised the Agnipath recruitment scheme and called it a necessary reform.

"The Agnipath Scheme is an example of important reforms being undertaken by the Army. Unfortunately, a few people have made this important issue related to the nation's security a topic of politics. A few people are doing politics over this important reform," the Indian PM said.

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His words didn't sit well with India's mainopposition party. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge later accused Modiof indulging in “petty politics”.

“It is very unfortunate and deplorable that Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji is doing petty politics even on occasions like paying tribute to martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. No Prime Minister has ever done this before,” Kharge said.

Watch |Kargil Vijay Diwas: PM Modi commences Victory Day celebrations, says 'Pakistan has learnt nothing'

“Modi ji is saying that his government implemented the Agnipath scheme at the behest of the Army. This is a blatant lie and an unforgivable insult to our valiant armed forces. Modi ji, it is you who is spreading lies!” he added in a post on X.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that Modi's claim that the Agnipath/Agniveer scheme was introduced by the Indian Army is misleading. Ramesh pointed out that General MM Naravane, the Army chief at the time, had described the scheme as a complete surprise to the Indian armed forcesand a ‘bolt from the blue’ to the Navy and Air Force.

“He (Modi) says the Agnipath/Agniveer scheme was introduced by the Army. General MM Naravane, who was Army chief at that time, has written that the scheme came as a complete surprise to the Army and as a ‘bolt from the blue’ to the Navy and Air Force. Modi is now trying to evade responsibility for this disastrous scheme,”Ramesh said in a post on X.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji said that the scheme requires reconsideration because it lacks social security for Agniveers. She expressed respect for the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War and highlighted the need to evaluate the scheme, questioning the future of soldiers after their four-year tenure.

“There should be a review of the Agniveer scheme. We should think about the soldiers on whom the whole nation of 140 crore people relies. What would happen to them after four years when they become unemployed?” Maji said.

BJP MP Ravi Kisan, on the other hand, claimed that the opposition is spreading false information about the scheme.

“This is a very good scheme. My daughter is also preparing for the army and no one should be in this confusion… This scheme is good for youth. Look at the example of China and Israel, every youth knows how to use arms,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)