Congress will repeal 'discriminatory' CAPF Bill when it comes to power: Rahul

Congress MP and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the government of seeking to legally perpetuate discrimination against Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel through the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, and asserted that the Congress would repeal what he termed a “discriminatory law” when it comes to power.

The LOP said he had wanted to speak on the Bill in the Lok Sabha and had requested the government to adjust the schedule as he was touring Assam, but alleged that the request was refused as the government “does not want me to speak on this in Parliament”.

“But I want to tell all the paramilitary forces — CRPF, BSF, CISF and ITBP — that the Congress is standing with them and will protect them,” Gandhi said in a video statement.

Gandhi’s remarks came a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, by voice vote amid an Opposition walkout. The Bill was listed for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, 2 April.

In the video statement, Gandhi referred to a recent meeting with assistant commandant Ajay Malik, who lost a leg in an improvised explosive device blast during a Naxalite encounter.

Malik had staked everything for the nation’s defence, Gandhi said, asking what he had received in return for that sacrifice. “Despite over 15 years of loyal service — no promotion, not even the right to lead his own force. Because all top positions are reserved for IPS officers. This is not just one officer’s pain — it is institutional injustice happening to millions of CAPF personnel,” Gandhi said.

He argued that no paramilitary force in India has been headed by an officer who rose through the ranks of the force itself, claiming that leadership is imposed from outside. “I have worked with paramilitary forces for over 20 years, they look after my security. They have specific skills which are valuable and the leadership should be given to a person who has those skills,” he said.

He also accused the government of “overriding” the Supreme Court in the matter, calling the move unfair. “I don’t understand why they are doing it, there might be other considerations, there might be considerations of elections these days but they are doing it. I wanted to make a speech in Parliament. They have brought this Bill on a day I am touring Assam. I sent a message to the government that I want to speak on this and please make adjustments but they refused. They do not want that I speak on this in Parliament,” Gandhi alleged.

In a Hindi post on X accompanying the video, Gandhi said CAPF personnel guard the borders, combat terrorism and Naxalism, and secure elections, but are denied institutional respect. “Even the CAPF jawans themselves are against this discrimination. The Supreme Court has questioned this system. Yet, the current government is bent on legally perpetuating this injustice,” he said.

He added that the Bill was not merely a matter of career progression but one that could undermine morale within forces that form the country’s frontline security apparatus. “We honour CAPF jawans not just in words, but in policies. Congress’ clear promise is — as soon as our government comes to power, this discriminatory law will be repealed. Because those who fight for the country must have the right to leadership,” the former Congress president said.

Earlier in the day, Congress whip in the Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore alleged that the government had deliberately scheduled discussion of the Bill when the Leader of Opposition was committed to pre-announced election rallies in Assam.

“A crucial Bill affecting the rights and dignity of our CAPF personnel is being hurried into Lok Sabha, timed exactly when the Leader of Opposition is scheduled to be in Assam for pre-planned election rallies,” Tagore said, noting that preparations for the rallies had been completed well in advance.

“This is not coincidence. This is calculated parliamentary management. A government confident of its decisions does not fear debate. A government committed to justice does not rush legislation in the absence of dissenting voices,” he said in a post on X.

The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, provides that 50 per cent of posts at the rank of inspector-general in CAPFs will be filled through deputation from the Indian Police Service, while at least 67 per cent of posts at the rank of additional director-general will also be filled through deputation.

The proposed legislation follows the Supreme Court’s October 2025 decision dismissing the Centre’s plea to review its earlier verdict directing that deputation of IPS officers to CAPFs up to the level of senior administrative grade should be progressively reduced, and calling for a cadre review within six months.

With PTI inputs