Rajnath Corrects Rahul As Congress Leader Tries to ‘Mislead’ House on Agniveer Scheme

New Delhi: Moments after stoking a nationwide row by insulting the ‘Hindus,' Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi took the Parliament's podium to launch an offensive against the Centre on the Agniveer Scheme. He invited sharp response from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh after he called the Agniveers a ‘use and throw’ labourer. 

Remarking on the Agniveer scheme for entry into the Armed Forces, LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said, "One Agniveer lost his life in a landmine blast but he is not called a ‘martyr’. Agniveer is a use-and-throw labourer..."

Objecting to LoP Rahul Gandhi's statement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh claimed that the Congress leader is misleading the house by making incorrect and baseless statements on Agniveers.  

“He Rahul Gandhi) should not try to mislead the House by making wrong statements. Financial assistance of Rs one crore is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting our borders or during war,” said Singh. 

Not only Singh, but Union Home Minister Amit Shah attempted to correct Rahul Gandhi on four occasions during the speech, while Kiren Rijiju tried intervening thrice, Nishit Kant, Bhupender Yadav and Shivraj Singh Chouhan each also objected and pointed out Gandhi’s comments on Agniveer as false.

Rahul Insults Hindus, PM Modi Counters 

A heated exchange unfolded in Parliament after Rahul Gandhi whipped out a poster of Lord Shiva before targeting so-called "violent Hindus". The remark prompted an immediate counter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Home Minister Amit Shah demanding an apology.

"All our great men have spoken about non-violence and finishing fear... But those who call themselves Hindu only talk about violence, hatred, untruth... Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You're not Hindu by any means)," Gandhi said.

Such was the anger from the NDA camp that PM Modi intervened by saying, “Calling the entire Hindu community violent is a very serious charge.”