Army provides clarity on financial aid to fallen Agniveer's family after Rahul's 'insult' remark

The Indian Army has issued a statement in response to concerns regarding the financial support offered to the family of Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Siachen, the world's highest militarized zone. He is the first Agniveer to have laid down his life in operations. The Army affirmed that compensation for the soldier's next of kin is determined by the applicable terms and conditions of the soldier's service.

In the statement released on Sunday, the Indian Army expressed its solidarity with the bereaved family during this period of grief and provided clarification about the conflicting messages circulating on social media concerning financial assistance to the deceased soldier's next of kin.

The statement read, "Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman laid down his life in the line of duty in Siachen. The Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. In view of conflicting messages on social media regarding financial assistance to the Next of Kin of the deceased, it is important to clarify that emoluments due to the Next of Kin are governed by the relevant terms & conditions of service of the soldier."

#Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman laid down his life in the line of duty in #Siachen. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.

In view of conflicting messages on social media regarding financial assistance to the Next of Kin of the… pic.twitter.com/46SVfMbcjl

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi)

The statement continued to provide detailed information on the emoluments authorized for a deceased Battle Casualty under the terms of engagement for Agniveers, including a non-contributory insurance sum of Rs 48 lakh, Seva Nidhi contributions by Agniveer (30%) matched by the government, along with interest, ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh, pay for the remaining tenure from the date of death to the completion of four years (exceeding Rs 13 lakh in the instant case), a contribution of Rs 8 lakh from the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund, and immediate financial assistance of Rs 30,000 from AWWA.

The Army's statement came following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's remarks regarding Agniveer, where he asserted that no pension or other benefits were provided to the families of Agniveers after their martyrdom. "The news of the martyrdom of Agniveer Gavate Akshay Laxman in Siachen is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family. A young man was martyred for the country - no gratuity, no other military facilities during his service, and no pension to his family in martyrdom," Gandhi tweeted on Sunday.

सियाचिन में, अग्निवीर गवाते अक्षय लक्ष्मण की शहादत का समाचार बहुत दुखद है। उनके परिवार को मेरी गहरी संवेदनाएं।

एक युवा देश के लिए शहीद हो गया - सेवा के समय न ग्रेच्युटी न अन्य सैन्य सुविधाएं, और शहादत में परिवार को पेंशन तक नहीं।

अग्निवीर, भारत के वीरों के अपमान की योजना है! pic.twitter.com/8LcQpZR9f2

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi)

"Agniveer-- a scheme to insult the heroes of India," the Congress leader added. 

'Absolute trash and irresponsible tweet': BJP slams Rahul

Rahul Gandhi's tweet on the matter drew swift criticism from the BJP, with Amit Malviya, a BJP leader, labelling it as "absolute trash and an irresponsible tweet." He clarified that Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, who sacrificed his life while in service, is entitled to emoluments as a Battle Casualty. Malviya also urged Rahul Gandhi to refrain from promoting misinformation, particularly considering his aspirations to be the Prime Minister.

Absolute trash and irresponsible tweet.

Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman has laid down his life in course of service and therefore is entitled to emoluments as a Battle Casualty.

Accordingly, Laxman’s Next of Kin will receive the ₹48 lakh non contributory insurance, ex-gratia of… https://t.co/3PgsKD1F0T

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya)

"Absolute trash and irresponsible tweet.  Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman has laid down his life in the course of service and therefore is entitled to emoluments as a Battle Casualty," Malviya said in response to Rahul's tweet. "So, stop peddling #FakeNews. You are aspiring to be Prime Minister. Try and behave like one," he added.

A large number of people on Monday (October 23) gathered at Gawate Akshay Laxman's residence in Pimpalgaon Sarai village of Maharashtra's Buldhana district where his mortal remains will be brought. 

“After securing his BCom degree, he wanted to join the Army. I last spoke to him on 20 October. He had asked me if I was keeping well and if his brother was doing fine,” said his father Laxman Gawate.