Rahul makes a ‘daulatveer’ dig at Modi as govt invites Agniveers for new scheme

Gandhi, who was recently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for more than 50 hours in the National Herald money laundering case, said the Congress' ‘Satyagraha’ across the country would not stop until the youth get justice.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday launched a fresh attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centre's Agnipath scheme -- a short-term military recruitment plan -- which has seen massive protests from armed forces aspirants across the country in the recent past. Gandhi said that Modi was making his "friends" "daulatveer" (rich) by handing over the country's airports to them for 50 years, while making the country’s youth ‘Agniveers’ for only four years.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (ANI)

In a tweet in Hindi, the Congress leader said, “The Prime Minister is making his friends 'daulatveer' (rich) by handing them country's airports for 50 years while making youths 'Agniveers' on a four-year contract."

Gandhi, who was recently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for more than 50 hours in the National Herald money laundering case, said the Congress' ‘Satyagraha’ across the country would not stop until the youth get justice.

“Today Congress party across the country is doing #SatyagrahaForYouth against 'Agneepath'. This Satyagraha will not stop until the youth get justice,” the tweet read.

Congress leaders and activists observed a "peaceful Satyagraha" in all Assembly constituencies to demand a withdrawal of the new military recruitment scheme that was launched earlier this month by the government following which violent protests were witnessed across many states, especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.

According to the scheme, youngsters in the age bracket of 17-and-half to 21 years will be recruited for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. For 2022, the upper age limit has been extended to 23 years.

The Congress had observed a peaceful ‘Satyagraha’ at the Jantar Mantar in New Delhi as well as in various states on the issue on June 20.

Congress MPs had also taken out a peaceful march from Parliament. A delegation of senior leaders had submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind requesting him to withdraw the controversial scheme. The President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.