Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: Modi Defends Agnipath Scheme Amidst Opposition Criticism

Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs have criticised the Agnipath scheme, arguing it undermines the strength of the Indian Armed forces. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram claimed the scheme offers insufficient training and benefits, while SP MP Awadhesh Prasad promised to abolish it if the INDIA alliance wins power.

Kargil (Ladakh): On the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the Agnipath scheme, asserting it as a vital reform aimed at modernising and rejuvenating the Indian Armed Forces. Speaking at the Kargil War memorial, Modi highlighted the scheme's goal to keep the army youthful and continuously fit for combat. He criticised opposition parties for politicising a crucial national security matter.

PM Modi emphasised that the Agnipath scheme addresses the issue of the ageing demographic within the military, a concern raised over decades in various parliamentary discussions and committees. "The average age of Indian soldiers has been higher than the global average, and the Agnipath scheme is a response to this challenge," Modi stated.

He refuted claims that the scheme was introduced to cut pension costs, suggesting that such a concern is decades away and not a motivating factor for the reform.

The Prime Minister also took a swipe at opposition parties, accusing them of undermining the military's strength through past corruption scandals. "These are the same people who have weakened our forces with scams and opposed modernising efforts like acquiring new fighter jets," Modi charged.

He defended the Agnipath scheme as a necessary evolution for the armed forces, positioning it as a crucial step for national security.

In contrast, opposition leaders have sharply criticised the Agnipath scheme. Congress MP Karto P Chidambaram dismissed the scheme as inadequate for strengthening the military's capacity. He argued that short-term recruits under Agnipath would lack the comprehensive training and benefits necessary for a professional army. "The Agnipath scheme does not enhance the capability of our armed forces. It is a superficial measure," Chidambaram said.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad went further, pledging to dismantle the scheme if the INDIA alliance, a coalition of opposition parties, comes to power. Prasad condemned the scheme as an insult to the military, vowing to revert to general recruitment practices.

'When we form the government, the Agnipath scheme will be abolished within 24 hours," Prasad asserted.

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa also voiced concerns, pointing to increasing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, such as terror attacks and drug smuggling. He urged the Prime Minister to address these pressing issues rather than focusing solely on military reforms.

Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorated the successful Operation Vijay, which saw Indian forces reclaim strategic positions in Kargil from Pakistani troops and militants in 1999.