Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday objected to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Lok Sabha on the Agniveer scheme and said financial assistance of one crore rupees is given to the family of the Agniveer who sacrifices his life while protecting the country’s borders or during a war.

Singh accused Gandhi of misleading the House, emphasizing that families of Agniveers who lose their lives in service receive financial assistance of one crore rupees.

The debate unfolded during discussions on the motion of thanks for the President’s Address. Gandhi, in his speech as Leader of Opposition, criticized the Agniveer scheme, claiming it creates a rift between soldiers and arguing that Agniveers are not afforded the same status as regular jawans.

Gandhi’s comments extended beyond the Agniveer scheme, alleging a “systematic assault on the idea of India” by the ruling BJP government. He also made controversial remarks about the Hindu community, which drew sharp responses from BJP leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened, saying that labeling the entire Hindu community as violent was “a very serious matter.” Home Minister Amit Shah also demanded an apology from Gandhi for wrongly connecting violence with religion.

“Connecting violence with any religion is wrong. He should apologise,” Amit Shah said.

(Inputs from ANI)