Friday, Mar 29th 2024
Trending News

Agnipath scheme is a major scam,Teesta Setalvad arrested for exposing truth: Mamata Banerjee

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 28, Jun 2022, 17:04 pm IST | UPDATED: 28, Jun 2022, 17:04 pm IST

Agnipath scheme is a major scam,Teesta Setalvad arrested for exposing truth: Mamata Banerjee New Delhi:West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress president Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Centre over the arrest of Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair and social activist Teesta Setalvad for "trying to expose the truth."  The Trinamool chief alleged that those who spread hatred are roaming free and accused the Centre of suppressing the voices of those who criticise it.

Addressing a party gathering in Asansol in Paschim Bardhaman district, Banerjee also attacked the Centre over the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme, calling it a ‘major scam and another example of Jumla politics’ ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

“Why have you arrested Mohammed Zubair and Teesta Setalvad? What wrong have they done? Does speaking out the truth or exposing the truth a crime? Those who are speaking out against this government are either harassed by using agencies or are arrested,” Banerjee said.

In an apparent reference to controversial remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on Prophet Mohammad, she alleged that those who spread hatred and violence in the country are not being arrested.

“Those who spread hatred and violence in the country are not being arrested; no action is being taken. Those who create animosity among communities are not even touched by them (BJP). But those who fight against such people are being harassed,” she said.

Speaking on the Agnipath scheme, Banerjee said the Centre must extend the retirement age of soldiers recruited under it to 60 years, claiming that they would stare at an uncertain future at the end of the four-year contract.

"Recently I received a communication where I was requested that those Agniveers, after four years, should get the opportunity in state government jobs. It is a mess created by the Centre, and they have to clean it. We will not take the onus,” she said.

Meanwhile, the ruling BJP today lashed out at the opposition, especially the Congress, for protesting against the arrest of activist Teesta Setalvad and Mohammed Zubair, co-founder of fact-checking portal Alt News, alleging that they were working as part of a "poisonous ecosystem" where one offender protects another if anyone is caught.

Slamming the Congress for joining the protest against Setalvad's arrest, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia accused it of supporting and opposing judicial actions as per its convenience and asked if the opposition party has any faith in the judiciary or not.

You Might also Like