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Row over RJD leader's ‘army of eunuchs’ remark; ‘Nitish should at least…’: BJP

Source: HT News Desk Feb-24-2023 3 min read

Bihar co-operative minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Surendra Yadav on Thursday said that the 'Agniveer' scheme will create an army of eunuchs, triggering outrage.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday lashed out at a Bihar minister for his controversial remark on the Agniveer scheme, calling it “shameful and offensive.” Prasad said Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar should “at least save the credibility” of the Indian Army by sacking the minister.

On Thursday, Bihar co-operative minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Surendra Yadav said that the 'Agniveer' scheme will create a “Hijdon Ki Fauj (army of eunuchs).”

“Nitish Kumar’s minister has given a shameful and offensive statement about Army. Does Bihar chief minister think that the country will be silent about after this comment?” Ravi Shankar Prasad asked rhetorically.

“The minister has no right to be in his position. Nitish Kumar should at least save the credibility of the army,” he said, adding that the people of Bihar want a change and BJP will win the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as well as the 2025 assembly elections.

Criticising the short-term recruitment scheme, Surendra Yadav said, "Exactly 8.5 years from now, the country's name will be included among 'Hijdon Ki Fauj' (Army of eunuchs), I am telling this. After 8.5 years, the current Army men will retire and the training of these Agniveers won't even be complete," he added.