The T20 World Cup-winning Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, received a grand welcome at PM Narendra Modi's residence and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. However, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised concerns about the government's Agniveer scheme in his first speech as Leader of Opposition. Meanwhile, former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar commends Hardik Pandya's redemption story with the T20 victory.
The Indian Army has denied social media posts claiming that the family of Agniveer martyr Agniveer Ajay Kumar has not received compensation for his sacrifice. The Army clarified that the family has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh and will receive a total amount of Rs 1.65 crore. This rebuttal comes after Rahul Gandhi accused Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of lying about the issue of compensation to families of martyred Agniveers. The Indian Army reaffirmed their commitment to honouring fallen heroes and paying their families' emoluments expeditiously.
The Indian Army has clarified that the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who lost his life in the line of duty, has indeed been compensated. This comes after Rahul Gandhi's claim that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lied about the family receiving Rs. 1 crore, which was refuted by the Army and Rajnath Singh's office. The clarification also sheds light on the Agnipath scheme, which aims to bring down the age profile of the armed forces.
The Indian Navy has released the admit cards for the Indian Navy Entrance Test (INET) as part of their Agniveer 02/2024 recruiting campaign. The written test for Agniveer SSR applicants is scheduled for July 9-11, while the Matric Recruit (MR) test will take place from July 12-15. The INET test will be conducted in a computer-based format and is the first stage of the selection process for Agniveers. Those who are shortlisted after the written test will move on to the second stage, which includes a physical fitness test, written test, and medical examination.
The family of Agniveer Akshay Gawate, who died in the line of duty last year, received a total of Rs 1.08 crore in assistance from the government. This announcement came after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that Agniveers who sacrifice their lives for the country are given a compensation of Rs 1 crore. However, the family's statement also shed light on the controversy surrounding the government's treatment of Agniveers, with Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi claiming that they are seen as "use-and-throw labourers" and not given the status of martyrs.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rebuts Rahul Gandhi's statement about the Agneepath scheme, clarifying that the compensation amount for Agniveer martyrs is actually Rs 1 crore. Gandhi claimed that there is a divide between jawans under the scheme, to which Singh responded that the scheme offers equal benefits to all. Through the Agneepath scheme, Agniveers are recruited in the Indian Army for four years and are eligible for permanent recruitment after completing their service.
In his first speech as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of treating soldiers as 'use and throw' labourers under the Agnipath scheme. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh countered his claims by highlighting the provisions for martyr status and compensation under the scheme. The Defence Minister also called out Gandhi for spreading false information and cautioned him against misleading the House. Gandhi's accusation against the BJP-led NDA government came under scrutiny as the facts emerged, showing that Agniveers receive adequate support and recognition from the government.
In his first address as Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP-led NDA government and PM Narendra Modi over a range of issues including 'Hinduism'. Referring to the Abhayamudra gesture, a symbol of non-violence in Hinduism, he accused BJP leaders of promoting violence and hatred. In response, PM Modi stood up to defend the Hindu community, stating that calling them violent is a serious accusation.
Actor-turned politician and newly elected BJP MP Kangana Ranaut had an altercation with a lady security officer at the Chandigarh airport. The Congress party leader, Rahul Gandhi, addressed a press conference in which he criticized PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah's comments on the stock market. The Supreme Court has ordered the release of surplus water to quench Delhi's water crisis, and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will be visiting India to meet with Prime Minister Modi. Additionally, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also be attending PM Modi's swearing-in ceremony. The JDU has offered unconditional support to the BJP-led NDA, but wishes to discuss and address the shortcomings of the Agniveer scheme.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached out to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene in the alleged discrimination faced by the families of slain Agniveers, who are given lesser benefits compared to regular soldiers. He urged the President to provide justice to these heroes, who lay down their lives in service to the nation. In a two-page letter, Gandhi highlighted the "fundamental flaw" in the Agnipath scheme and its impact on national security.