CPI slams Modi government for ‘doublespeak’ on national security

CPI Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar, criticising the Narendra Modi government for ‘Agniveer scheme’, slammed its “doublespeak” on the issues of national security.

Kumar, while participating in the discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the 26 innocent civilians killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2005.

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Reaffirming the CPI’s solidarity with all the affected, he drew the attention of the House to the martyrdom of Agniveer Murali Naik from Andhra Pradesh, who laid down his life during India’s military operation against Pakistan.

“Agniveer scheme, despite his ultimate sacrifice, does not offer pension or any other benefits to his family,” he said, terming it a “matter of national shame”.

The Agnipath scheme not only disrespects sacrifices of our soldiers but also weakens the very structure of our armed forces, he noted during the debate in the upper house of the parliament.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the requirement scheme, he urged the government to fill over one lakh vacancies in the armed forces in a meaningful, secure, and dignified manner.

“The BJP claims that Pakistan is a factory of terrorism. If this is your understanding, what made you call for a ceasefire? What diplomatic or geopolitical pressure compelled the government to halt our military operation midway,” he asked.

These are legitimate questions that cannot be brushed aside by laud rhetoric, the CPI leader asserted.

He also questioned the conspicuous silence of the Modi government on US President Donald Trump claiming time and again that it was he who mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

He said Prime Minister Modi is the fourth most-followed global leader on X, yet not a single word condemning his claims has been issued till date. “While Pakistan’s aggression was responded to with Operation Sindoor, Trump’s insults to our moral sovereignty received only ‘Operation Silence’ from the BJP,” he said, asking the ruling party why it can’t refute Trump’s claims on the issue in black and white.

The CPI MP also pointed out that all political parties were united in their resolve against terrorism and supported Operation Sindoor. However, the BJP is now attempting to “monopolise the narrative of patriotism and project itself as the only defender of national interest”.

“This is both false and dishonest. The BJP’s duplicity stands exposed when contrasted with its conduct after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. Instead of demonstrating unity, the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi rushed to the site of the tragedy, held a press conference, and accused the UPA government of being weak,” he said.

He said the CPI condemns this opportunism. “For the BJP, nationalism is a marketing tool. For the Left, it is a matter of commitment to the sovereignty, unity, and dignity of the Indian people,” the CPI MP added.

The Communist Party of India, he said, calls for a politics of unity, dignity, and national strength.