"Agniveer is a use and throw labour” Rahul Gandhi criticizes Modi govt over Agniveer Scheme
New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, in his inaugural speech as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, launched a severe critique of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government. Focusing on the Agniveer scheme, Gandhi highlighted the disparity it creates among soldiers, pointing out that the policy ensures that some 'jawans' receive pensions while others do not.
"Agniveer is a use and throw labour. One jawan is getting a pension, while another is not. You are creating a divide between jawans," Gandhi stated in Parliament.
Gandhi directly blamed Prime Minister Modi, asserting that the Agniveer scheme was implemented without proper consultation and was a directive from the Prime Minister's Office.
During his speech, which caused uproar in the Parliament, Gandhi addressed various issues including the ongoing crisis in Manipur, farmers' concerns, demonetisation, and the Agniveer scheme.
The Narendra Modi government introduced the Agnipath scheme during its previous term to recruit youth aged 17.5-21 as soldiers for a period of four years. The initiative aims to modernize the military, foster a younger force, and alleviate long-term financial burdens from pensions and benefits.
However, the Agnipath scheme has faced criticism from various groups who argue that its short-term recruitment process could lead to job insecurity and inadequate training for military personnel. Even allies of the BJP-led NDA government, such as JD(U) and LJP (RV), have called for a review of the scheme.
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Pushing by Baba's security, slippery slope led to Hathras stampede, says SDM's prelim report
Lucknow, Jul 3: Chaos caused after Narayan Sakaar Hari's followers, who tried to reach near his vehicle to seek "darshan", were pushed by the godman's security and a "slippery slope" resulted in the stampede that killed 121 people in Hathras, a preliminary report of the SDM said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sikandra Rao submitted the preliminary report on the stampede to the district magistrate (DM).
The SDM, who gave permission for the 'satsang' (religious congregation), was also present at the venue when the incident occurred, according to the report.
"A crowd of more than 2 lakh people was present in the satsang pandal. Shri Narayan Sakar Hari (Bhole Baba) reached the satsang pandal at about 12.30 pm and the program went on for 1 hour.
"After this, at about 1.40 pm, Shri Narayan Sakaar Hari (Bhole Baba) came out of the pandal to go towards Etah on National Highway-91," the preliminary report said, adding that when the godman was leaving the venue, his followers started running towards him for a 'darshan' and collect soil from around his feet.
"Satsangi women/men/children etc. started applying the dust of Baba's feet on their foreheads (while trying) to get his darshan, touch his feet and take his blessings," reads the report dated July 2.
The situation worsened when more people waiting on the divider of the road ahead began running towards his vehicle, it said.
"A large number of people were already standing on the dividers in the middle and on the sides of GT road, who started jumping from the dividers and started running towards Baba's vehicle to get his darshan.
"Then Baba's personal security personnel (Black Commandos) and sevadars started pushing and shoving the crowd themselves to stop the crowd, due to which some people fell down," the report states, adding this led to a panic and the crowd went out of control.
"Due to which the crowd ran towards the open field in front of the venue to get relief, on the other side of the road, where most of the people slipped and fell due to the wet slope while descending from the road towards the field," the report said.
Those who fell could not get up again and were run over by those coming from behind, it said.
"After this, they could not get up again and the crowd started running here and there over them," the report mentioned.
'Mukhya sevadar' Devprakash Madhukar and other organisers have been named in the first information report (FIR) filed at the Sikandar Rau police station late on Tuesday, a senior officer told PTI.
