The remarks were made by Vijayvargiya at an event in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. He later issued a clarification and accused the ‘toolkit gang’ of twisting his words on the issue
File image of BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya. PTI
Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has drawn flak for his remarks on the Agnipath scheme. The BJP leader had earlier said that he would he would give priority to Agnipath recruits for security jobs at his party office.
The remarks were made by Vijayvargiya at an event in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. He later issued a clarification and accused the “toolkit gang” of twisting his words on the issue.
However, the controversy has refused to die down. Leaders from across the political spectrum have condemned the statement by the BJP national secretary. Here are some reactions:
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister for his silence on Vijayvargiya’s statements. “Those who did not hoist the tricolor for 52 years of independence cannot be expected to respect the soldiers. The youth have the zeal to join the army, not to protect the BJP offices by becoming a watchman, but to protect the country,” he wrote.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal said that the remarks were an insult to the youth.
BJP leader Varun Gandhi slammed Vijayvargiya for his comments and stated that the Indian Army is a means to serve the nation and not just a job.
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also criticised the BJP national secretary’s comments.
Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi slammed Vijayvargiya and wrote that his remarks ‘trivilaised’ the importance of the armed forces.
Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) accused the government of playing with the future of the country’s youth and asked it to take back the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
The Agnipath scheme announced by the Centre recently has faced flak from several politicians including Rahul Gandhi, Owaisi and others. Protests against the scheme have taken place in several states. Vijayvargiya later tweeted that his remarks had been distorted and accused the “toolkit gang” of creating a controversy over the issue.
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