On Sunday, Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi launched the ‘Jai Jawan’ movement. This initiative aims to abolish the controversial Agnipath scheme, as Gandhi believes it is essential for ensuring a brighter future for the nation’s youth and armed forces.
Furthermore, the movement follows a tragic event in Nashik. Two young Agniveers, Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat (21), lost their lives in a training explosion. In light of this, Gandhi condemned the Agnipath scheme, calling it unjust to the military and disrespectful to the sacrifices made by soldiers.
In addition to his criticism, Gandhi expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He emphasized the urgent need for answers regarding the recruitment scheme. “My deepest sympathies to their families. This tragic incident raises serious concerns about the Agniveer scheme, which the BJP government has yet to address,” he stated.
Moreover, he raised questions about the compensation structure for the families of the fallen soldiers. “Will the families of Gohil and Saifat receive timely compensation equivalent to what any other martyred soldier receives?” he asked. This highlights the necessity for equitable treatment in such situations.
Additionally, Gandhi criticized the pension structure linked to the Agnipath scheme, labeling it discriminatory. “Why don’t the families of Agniveers receive pension benefits and other government support? When the responsibilities and sacrifices of all soldiers are the same, why is there this disparity after their martyrdom?” he argued.
Consequently, Gandhi declared, “The Agneepath scheme is an injustice to the army and an insult to the sacrifices of our brave soldiers”. He demanded that the Prime Minister and Defense Minister explain why one soldier’s life is valued more than another’s. Thus, he urged citizens to unite against this injustice.
Ultimately, the tragic loss of the two Agniveers occurred when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during firing practice. This incident took place at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra‘s Nashik district. Both soldiers were rushed to MH Hospital in Deolali, where they were pronounced dead.
As the nation grapples with this loss, Gandhi’s movement seeks to spark a broader discussion about the treatment of soldiers and military recruitment policies in India.
Kolkata: On Friday, January 10, 2026, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha members demonstrated against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her actions after the ED raids at the I-PAC office and its chief Pratik Jain's home. | In relation to an alleged coal smuggling case that stretches back a few years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and Pratik Jain's home on Loudon Street in Kolkata on Thursday, January 8, 2025. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee launched a protest against the ED raids on I-PAC after the raid set off a political storm in the state. Why is a chief minister endorsing Pratik Jain, and who is he? Pratik Jain, a political strategist and co-founder of I-PAC, is a graduate of IIT Bombay. He is credited with helping I-PAC grow into one of the most significant political consulting organizations in India. I-PAC was established in 2015 and offers services like data-driven campaign management, support for governance, and voter outreach initiatives. It has collaborated with a number of Indian political groups throughout the years, notably West Bengal's Trinamool Congress (TMC). I-PAC reportedly collaborates closely with Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress, and his office. The company oversees the IT and media division of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and is in charge of creating its election campaigns. Mr. Jain was in charge of the Trinamool Congress's IT cell, according to Ms. Banerjee. According to his LinkedIn page, Jain, an engineering graduate from IIT Bombay, started his career as an analyst at the consulting firm Deloitte. He was one of the first members of Citizens of Accountable Governance, which later evolved into I-PAC. Arvind Kejriwal, M.K. Stalin, Jaganmohan Reddy, Uddhav Thackeray, Rahul Gandhi, and Nitish Kumar are just a few of the prominent figures with whom the political consultancy firm has collaborated.…
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