New Delhi

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the Opposition for politicizing the Agnipath Scheme, which he sees as a crucial reform for the country’s defense and security. Modi made these remarks after visiting the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, Ladakh, to mark the 25th anniversary of Vijay Diwas and honor the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1999 Kargil conflict.

He explained that the Agnipath Scheme is designed to address the issue of an aging military force. Despite decades of discussions on keeping the Armed Forces young and ready, no government took decisive action until now. Modi highlighted that the Scheme aims to modernize and rejuvenate the forces.

Modi condemned the Opposition for using the Scheme for political gain, accusing them of having a history of undermining defense initiatives. He claimed they were involved in defense scams, opposed modern fighter jets, and even tried to stall the Tejas fighter plane project. Modi rebutted claims that the Scheme is a cost-saving measure, pointing out that pension issues would not affect the government for decades. He stressed that the government’s priority is national security, not politics.

Modi also highlighted past failures of the Opposition, including their inaction on One Rank One Pension and the lack of a National War Memorial. He accused them of neglecting soldiers’ needs, such as bulletproof jackets, over the past decades.