A heated exchange took place between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on the Agnipath short-term recruitment scheme for the armed forces in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, with both leaders invoking their own military training or schooling.
Mr. Yadav, while speaking during a discussion on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, accused the government of initially orchestrating supportive tweets from major industrialists to promote the Agnipath scheme.
Follow LIVE updates from Parliament Monsoon Session on July 30, 2024
“When the Agniveer [the candidates selected under the Agnipath scheme] scheme was first introduced, prominent industrialists were made to tweet that there was no better plan and that they would offer jobs to Agniveers. Perhaps the government remembers this because it admits that the scheme is not right, which is why they are asking their State governments to provide quotas and jobs for returning Agniveers,” the SP leader said.
In response, Mr. Thakur stood in defence of the Agnipath scheme, invoking the military legacy of his home State, Himachal Pradesh.
“I come from Himachal Pradesh which gave the first Param Vir Chakra awardee Somnath Sharma, and had the highest number of martyrs in the Kargil War. Yes, I say that the long-standing demand for ‘One Rank One Pension’ was fulfilled by Narendra Modi’s government. And let me make it clear, Akhilesh-ji, that the Agniveer scheme guarantees 100% employment,” he said.
Mr. Yadav pressed further, questioning if that was the case, and if the scheme was so effective, then why did the the government feel the need to provide a 10% quota for Agniveers in Uttar Pradesh and other States.
“I asked a very simple question. Why does the government need to offer a quota in U.P. and other states if the scheme is truly beneficial?” Mr. Yadav queried.
The exchange prompted an uproar in the Lok Sabha, with Mr. Yadav continuing to assert his stance. He emphasised his own military school education, and countered Mr. Thakur’s claims on Param Vir Chakra recipients, pointing out that Uttar Pradesh also had a notable record.
Mr. Thakur retorted by highlighting his own military service. “I have served as a captain. Akhilesh-ji, don’t just preach. Sitting with Rahul Gandhi has made you accustomed to spreading rumours and lies,” Mr. Thakur said.
Published - July 30, 2024 05:49 pm IST
