The Agniveer scheme, introduced by the Modi government in June 2022, has come under scrutiny following the death of Ajay Kumar, a soldier recruited under the program.
Kumar's father, Charanjit Singh, initially claimed they had not received any financial assistance from the government. In a video, he was heard saying, "Raj Nath Singh said we received one crore rupees. They are lying; we haven't received any money yet."
However, days later, Singh stated that the army had promised INR9.8 million as compensation for his son's death. This apparent contradiction in statements has led to speculation about potential pressure on the family to change their narrative.
The family has requested that Kumar be given the status of a martyr, stating he "gave his life for the nation." They also mentioned that they would not receive pension or medical benefits typically provided to a military officer's family.
The incident has reignited debate about the Agniveer scheme, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi meeting the family and raising the issue in Parliament.
This controversy adds to existing concerns about the scheme, which has faced criticism since its inception for its potential impact on military recruitment and job security for young recruits.
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