New Delhi: A delegation of Congress leaders met President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday to bring to his notice the alleged manhandling of party workers by the Delhi Police during their agitation against Rahul Gandhi’s interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the newly launched Agnipath scheme. The Congress delegation comprised Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, senior leaders P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and K C Venugopal.
Cong leaders meet President Kovind, raise mistreatment of MPs by police for protesting against Rahul’s ED questioning, Agnipath scheme
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 20, 2022
“On Agnipath scheme, we’ve told the President that it was neither discussed with any committee nor was presented in Parliament, we said that this is a violation of our democratic rights. President has been asked to take this into consideration,” said Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
On #Agnipath scheme, we’ve told the President that it was neither discussed with any committee nor was presented in Parliament, we said that this is a violation of our democratic rights. President has been asked to take this into consideration: Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge pic.twitter.com/GpVq7N6yL1
– ANI (@ANI) June 20, 2022
“The second memorandum is about the police atrocities on Congress leaders. We have asked the President to cause an enquiry into this and send the matter to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee,” said P Chidambaram.
Meanwhile, as Rahul Gandhi appeared before the ED for the fourth round of questioning on Monday, for interrogation in connection with the money laundering case, Congress leaders and workers staged massive protests against what they called the “vendetta politics” of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Also Read: Agnipath Stir: 181 Mail Express, 348 Passenger Trains Cancelled Today Amid Protest, Check List
Notably, separate delegations of party leaders have met Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking action for violation of the rights of MPs.
Stepping up its attack on the Centre, the Congress on Sunday held a ‘Satyagraha’ in the national capital in support of those protesting against the government’s new military recruitment plan.
The Agnipath scheme for recruitment to the armed forces was launched by the three service chiefs earlier this week in Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s presence.
This scheme has, however, sparked protests in many parts of the country.
As protests continue unabated, various Union Ministries have announced job opportunities for the Agniveers after their four-year term ends.