Rahul Gandhi Slams CAPF Bill: Cites Case of Injured Jharkhand CRPF Officer

New Delhi (IANS): Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, criticized the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 on Thursday. He cited the case of CRPF Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik of Jharkhand to highlight stalled career progression and the denial of leadership roles for non-IPS officers within the CAPF.

Sacrifice Meets “Institutional Injustice”

Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik, an officer of the elite 209 CoBRA Battalion, lost a leg in a Maoist IED blast in Jharkhand after more than 15 years of service.

In a post on X, Gandhi shared a video of his interaction with Malik, stating:

“Assistant Commandant Ajay Malik Ji lost one leg in an IED blast during a Naxalite encounter—he staked everything for the nation’s defence. And what did he get in return? Despite over 15 years of loyal service—no promotion, not even the right to lead his own force. Because the system reserves all top positions for IPS officers.”

Gandhi argued that this “institutional bias” harms millions of CAPF personnel who secure borders, fight terrorism, and manage elections, only to face a system that “turns its face away” regarding their rights and respect.

The Contentious 2026 Bill

The Rajya Sabha passed the Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 just one day prior. The legislation formalizes IPS deputation in top leadership roles by reserving:

• 100% of Special DG and DG posts for IPS officers.

• 67% of Additional Director General (ADG) posts for IPS officers.

• 50% of Inspector General (IG) posts for IPS officers.

Gandhi claimed the government is legally perpetuating an injustice that the Supreme Court has already questioned. He warned that the Bill breaks the morale of the country’s “first line of defence,” which in turn shakes the foundation of national security.

A Promise of Repeal

The Congress leader pledged that a future Congress-led government would prioritize policy over rhetoric.

“Congress’s clear promise is—as soon as our government comes to power, this discriminatory law will be repealed,” Gandhi added. “Because those who fight for the nation must have the right to leadership.”