Will repeal CAPF once Congress comes to power, says Rahul questions timing of Bill when he is touring Assam alleging its injustice

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New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the government of deliberately scheduling the debate on the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, on a day when he was touring Assam to prevent him from speaking on the legislation and alleged that it amounted to “injustice” to the paramilitary forces and was being pushed through by overriding the Supreme Court.

Even as the Lok Sabha took up the Bill, Rahul Gandhi in a video statement said that the Bill will be revealed after Congress comes to power.

The former Congress chief said that he wanted to speak on the bill in Lok Sabha and had requested the government to make adjustments as he was touring Assam but it refused as it “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.

The Gandhi scion recalled his recent meeting with Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik, who had lost one leg in an IED blast during a Naxalite encounter.

He highlighted that how Malik had risked everything for the nation’s defense and asked what did he get in return for his 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,” the Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli said.

He also highlighted that no paramilitary force in India has been led by someone who has risen up the ranks of the paramilitary force. “The top leadership is imposed upon them,” he claimed.

“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 targeted the government of “overriding” the Supreme Court in the matter and claimed that what the government had done was “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,” Rahul Gandhi said

In his post in Hindi on X along with the video, Gandhi said CAPF jawans are deployed on the borders, they take on terrorism and Naxalism, they secure the festivals of democracy — our elections, but when it comes to their rights and respect, the system turns its face away.

He said, “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 that this bill is not just an attempt to halt one’s career but it is an effort to break the morale of those who form the country’s first line of defense.

He also said that when their morale breaks, the foundation of national security shakes.

Taking a stand for the CAPF, the Congress leader said, “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.”

His remarks came a day after the Rajya Sabha passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026, with a voice vote amid an Opposition walkout. The bill is listed for being taken up in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Congress whip in the Lok Sabha, Manickam Tagore also took a dig at the government and in a post on X said, “Rallies that were announced well in advance. Preparations already completed. Public meetings lined up. And suddenly, the Bill is listed for Today.

“Why this rush? Why avoid a full and fair debate? Why deny the Leader of Opposition the opportunity to speak on an issue impacting our jawans?” Tagore asked.

Taking a swipe at the government,.he said, “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.”

The proposed legislation comes after the Supreme Court in October last year dismissed the Centre’s plea seeking a review of its 2025 verdict that directed that IPS officers’ deputation in CAPFs up to the level of Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) should be “progressively reduced” and asked for a cadre review to be carried out in six months.