Family of Deceased Agniveer Ajay Singh Chased Away Media, Allege Harassment; Compensation Dispute Escalates
In a dramatic incident outside the residence of the deceased Agniveer Ajay Singh (23) in Ramgarh Sardaran village, Ludhiana district, family members chased away a group of electronic media reporters, accusing them of harassment. The family is embroiled in a bitter dispute with the government over the promised ex gratia payment, which, they claim, has remained unpaid for over six months since Singh’s death.
Ajay Singh, a young Agniveer, tragically lost his life in a landmine blast in the Rajouri sector of Jammu & Kashmir in January this year. Despite the promises made by the government, his family claims they have yet to see any ex gratia payment from either the Centre or the Army.
Local Congress leader Smit Singh recently visited the family and confirmed these claims in a statement to the press. He reiterated senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s assertion in Lok Sabha that Ajay Singh’s family had not received any compensation from the Centre, despite multiple assurances. According to Smit Singh, the family has only received insurance cover, not any additional ex gratia payment.
This controversy has sparked a heated exchange between Rahul Gandhi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Gandhi has been vocally critical of the Agniveer Army recruitment scheme, calling it a "use and throw" policy that lacks long-term commitment to temporary recruits like Singh. He pointed out that Ajay Singh’s family has not been compensated appropriately, a claim that Rajnath Singh denied, asserting that the government provides Rs 1 crore as compensation to families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty.
The family’s patriarch, Charanjit Singh Kala, a laborer, shed light on their financial plight in an interview with The Indian Express. He mentioned receiving Rs 98 lakh from insurance claims, including Rs 48 lakh from the Army and Rs 50 lakh from a private bank—both stemming from policies his son had. Additionally, the Punjab government provided Rs 1 crore. However, he countered Rajnath Singh’s assertion by stating that they have not received the claimed Rs 1 crore in ex gratia compensation from the Centre or the Army.
Following Gandhi’s address in the Lok Sabha, the Army took to social media platform X to clarify their position. They acknowledged that while the family has received Rs 98.39 lakh, the ex gratia payment of approximately Rs 67 lakh is still pending and will be settled after due police verification. This would bring the total compensation to about Rs 1.65 crore.
Charanjit Singh’s emotional response further highlighted their agony: "Return our son. We won’t ask for any money. We don’t need any money if the government can return our son."
Smit Singh emphasized his commitment to the family, stating, "I came here as I have been deputed by Rahul Gandhi to take care of this family and ensure their all needs are met."
A video showing the family alleging harassment by electronic media reporters has since gone viral on social media, adding another layer of complexity to this tragic episode.
For more information about the controversy and the Agniveer scheme, visit Indian Army Official Website.
