Is Agnipath not an insult to Gen Rawat, Congress asks Centre; cites his 'raise retirement age' plan

New Delhi, June 20

The Congress on Monday cited an October 2020 proposal by Gen Bipin Rawat to raise the retirement age of jawans in the forces and asked the government why it was insulting the approach of the Chief of Defence Staff.

AICC general secretary Ajay Maken cited the proposal quoting Gen Rawat as saying that the retirement age of jawans be raised to 58.

“An October 2020 proposal of the time of late CDS Gen Bipan Rawat is there and also his interview where he says soldiers retire after 17 years but their retirement age should be raised to 58 so that they can serve the country better. Is Agnipath not an insult to the thoughts of Gen Rawat?” Maken asked the government in Congress’s fresh bid against the Agnipath scheme which it wants rolled back.

He asked when Gen Rawat, and no one was more qualified than him, wanted the retirement age raised, are service chiefs going against his approach.

“Has the government tried to follow the proposal of Gen Rawat? He wanted jawans to serve till 58 and the government wants to retire them after four years. Shameful,” said Maken.

He said, “At least do not insult the CDS, his thoughts.”

The Congress also targeted the government for implementing major decisions without consultation.

“Bureaucrats sitting in AC rooms drafted the plan and asked political leaders to defend it,” Maken said when asked about some BJP leaders saying they would prioritise Agniveers for jobs as guards.

Maken said, “I do not blame these leaders. They had no say in framing this plan. Some bureaucrats sitting in AC rooms drafted and asked politicians to defend the scheme so they are saying whatever is best to their understanding. The fact is that in a democracy the most crucial input is of the people and their elected MPs but neither MPs were consulted nor was Parliament.”

Maken said it was due to lack of prior thought and discussions that most big decisions of the government had faced resistance.

“Demonetisation witnessed 60 changes in 50 days, GST 376 changes in 10 months, farm laws had to be rolled back completely. CAA rules could not be framed even after two-and-a-half years. Now, Agnipath has seen 11 changes in five days. All major decisions have been taken without thought, without public discussion by officers sitting in AC rooms,” alleged Maken.

He said the Congress would petition President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday on the ED summons to Rahul Gandhi and how the government was using a “fair and lovely scheme” to muzzle the opposition.

“The ED and CBI have a box of ‘fair and lovely’ cream in their offices. Opposition leaders who promise not to speak against the government or who join the BJP get a share of this cream and get clean, like Himanta Sarma, Mukul Roy, Narayan Rane and Somen Mitra. Rahul Gandhi is being targeted because he questions the government,” Maken said.

The Congress is holding a satyagraha at Jantar Mantar against the Agnipath and the alleged vendetta against Rahul through “the misuse of ED”.