Will hire or compensate 1.5 lakh people who got Army selection but were denied recruitment: Rahul Gandhi

“Earlier, kids like you aspired to join the Army. Also they were selected in the Army and the Army used to protect them for their entire life and cared for their welfare,” he said.

“Now the BJP has brought the Agniveer scheme in which they say they will recruit youths in the Army for four years. After four years, three out of four youngsters will be sent back home and they will not be protected and only one of them will be protected. If an Agniveer gets injured on the China border and is martyred, he will not get martyr status,” Rahul added.

“This means those who have trained hard for five years… About 1.5 lakh people were selected to the Army and for the first time in the history of Hindustan, they were not recruited and they are wandering around the country. They (BJP) have no interest in the patriotic feelings of youngsters. These youngsters met me and cried in front of me. I assured them that we will either get you compensated or will recruit you. They have made two categories in the Army. One is Agniveer and then the others.”

Earlier, Congress leaders had criticised the Centre saying that 1.5 lakh youths who were selected for military service during 2019 to 2021 were denied the chance after the government abruptly introduced the Agniveer scheme.

Rahul went on to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group saying that all defence contracts are now going to Adani. “Everything bought by the Army, like helicopters, cannons, cartridges, rifles and all weapons are bought by companies of Adani. Contracts to make drones and rifles in India are going to the Adani company. Earlier, our country’s ordnance factory used to make rifles but their contract was snatched and given to Adani,” he underlined.

Speaking about the violence between two tribal communities in Manipur and the lack of government presence there, Rahul Gandhi said, “Manipur burnt to ashes but no government presence is there. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not go there even once.” He also spoke about carrying out a caste census across the country.