Appealing for non-violent protests, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said that the Agnipath recruitment scheme is directionless and assured the protesting youth of her party’s support.
“I am sad that the government has announced the scheme of new army recruitment ignoring your voice, which is completely directionless. Along with you, many ex-servicemen and defence experts have also raised questions on this plan,” Ms. Gandhi said in a statement that was released by the Congress communication chief Jairam Ramesh.
Ms. Gandhi, who is undergoing treatment for post COVID issues at a Delhi hospital, added, ”the Congress stands firmly with the youth and promises to protect their interests by fighting to get this scheme withdrawn. Like a true patriot, we will raise your voice by following the path of truth, non-violence and peace”.
Earlier, in the day, former party chief Rahul Gandhi said like the now repealed farm laws, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will have to become maafiveer and withdraw the new recruitment scheme.
Accusing the Modi government of continuously insulting the Jai Jawan Jai Kishan [Hail the soilder, hail the farmer] slogan, Mr. Gandhi in a tweet said, ”I had said earlier also that the Prime Minister will have to withdraw the black farm laws. In the same manner, he will have to accept the demand of the youth of the country by becoming maafiveer and take back the Agnipath scheme”.