As ongoing protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme grip the nation, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya stirred controversy on Sunday, 19 June, by saying that he would prioritise hiring Agniveer soldiers as security personnel for the party office.
Addressing a press conference, the leader said, "Under the Agnipath scheme, the youth would develop qualities like discipline and obedience, which would benefit them in their lives even after the completion of the service period."
"If I have to hire the services of professionals to arrange security at the BJP office, then I will give priority to those who have served as Agniveer soldiers," Vijayvargiya added.
The comment has received heavy backlash from the Opposition. While Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Supremo Arvind Kejriwal expressed anger over the disrespect of the youth and the army, Congress leaders accused Vijayvargiya of insulting soldiers.
The Centre, on Tuesday, introduced Agnipath – a short-term Defence employment scheme through which soldiers will be selected in the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force on a contractual basis for four years. The jawans recruited under the aforementioned scheme would be called 'Agniveers'.
Agnipath Not a Political Decision, Says Vijayvargiya
The senior BJP leader also criticised the Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar by Congress, for protesting against the scheme "for the sake of protest", saying that the implementation of Agnipath was not a political decision.
"This plan has been made on the basis of the suggestions given to the government by an expert team of three service chiefs and retired army officers. In the report of a commission made after the Kargil war, it was also suggested that the average age of soldiers joining the country's army should be less," he explained.
He accused Congress of wanting to throw the nation into a fire of discontent, adding that the party is only concerned about power.
Meanwhile, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy allegedly said that Agnipath recruits will be trained with "skills of drivers, electricians, washermen and barbers." He further added that after their four-year term ends, the Agniveers would be "helpful for these posts."
A video of him allegedly making these comments was shared on Twitter by Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.
‘Army’s Heroic Tales Can't Be Expressed in Words’: BJP MP Varun Gandhi Attacks Vijayvargiya
Posting a video clip of Vijayvargiya making the remarks, BJP MP from Pilibhit Varun Gandhi attacked the party leader.
''Our great army's heroic tales cannot be expressed in mere words and its valour echoes in the entire world," Gandhi wrote.
He further accused Vijayvargiya of inviting the courageous and great Indian soldier to do "chowkidari" of a political office.
"Indian Army is a means to serve mother India, not just a job," he added.
Now We Know What BJP Meant by 2019 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar' Campaign: Congress Lashes Out
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took a dig at ‘those who didn’t raise the tricolour for 52 years,' in reaction to Vijayvargiya's statement.
“Those who did not hoist the tricolour for 52 years after independence, they cannot be expected to respect our soldiers,” Gandhi tweeted in Hindi, taking an apparent dig at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
“Youngsters are passionate about joining the army because they want to protect the country, and not because they want to be chowkidars at BJP's offices. The PM's silence is a stamp on this insult,” Gandhi added, without naming Vijayvargiya.
"Agniveer will become a watchman outside the BJP office. Mr Modi, this was the mentality we were afraid of - shameless government," the Madhya Congress took to Twitter to say that the BJP leader was "secretary insulting soldiers".
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also expressed his displeasure over the remark on his Twitter handle, saying, "Now we know what the BJP really meant when they launched the campaign in 2019, ‘Main Bhi Chowkidaar'..."
Ramesh further hit out at the ruling party, adding that they first announce a measure and then huddle to resolve the problems that arise out of the same.
"Ambani and Adani's Chowkidar now wants to make the youth of the entire country Chowkidars!" Madhya Pradesh Congress Sevadal tweeted.
'Do Not Disrespect the Army': AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal
"Do not disrespect the youth and army personnel of the country," wrote AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, attacking BJP leader Vijayvargiya's remarks.
"The youth of our country work hard day and night to pass the physical exam, qualify the test, because they want to serve the country their entire life by going to the army, not because they want to be a guard outside the BJP office," he added.
Youth of India Not Supposed To Be Doorkeepers, Says TMC
Taking exception to Vijayvargiya's remark, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) shot back saying that the youth of the country "are not supposed to be door keepers of BJP offices."
The party sought a clarification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his party colleague's comment.
"The young power wants to serve this nation unlike the Modi government. The prime minister should clarify whether these are also comments by 'fringe' elements," the TMC posted on its official Twitter handle.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said the comments exposed the true mindset of the BJP.
In a similar vein, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty stated that Vijayvargiya has insulted the "young aspiring army personnel of the country and belittled the valour of the armed forces guarding the country."
Vijayvargiya's Defence
Issuing a clarification later, the BJP leader alleged Congress or the "toolkit gang" of misconstruing his comments. He said that the party was distorting his remarks to insult "karmveer."
India is aware of the toolkit gang's conspiracies, he continued.
Vijayvargiya went on to clarify that what he meant was that the soldiers' excellence will be utilised wherever they go, whichever field they are in after completing their tenure.
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