‘Indian Youth Held Hostage In Russia As There’s ‘Mrit Kaal’ For Them In India’: Congress Slams Modi Govt

Targeting the Modi govt, Congress lamented dire job market conditions, suggesting that Indian youths are being compelled to seek employment opportunities in conflict zones like Israel and Russia.

Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar addresses a press conference, in New Delhi, Friday, March 1, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Congress party has launched a scathing attack on the government, highlighting the plight of around 20 Indians currently serving as support staff for the Russian army, who are reportedly stranded in Russia. The party alleged that these individuals are effectively being held hostage in the country, pointing to the escalating unemployment crisis back home in India.

Quoting the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, it was revealed that approximately 20 Indians had ventured to Russia for employment as support staff or helpers for the Russian army. Jaiswal addressed this matter during the weekly media briefing, acknowledging the government's awareness of the situation and asurring efforts for their prompt repatriation.

According to news agency PTI, Congress leaders, including Jairam Ramesh and Kanhaiya Kumar, seized upon this issue to underscore the unemployment challenges facing Indian youths. Ramesh lamented the dire job market conditions, suggesting that Indian youths are being compelled to seek employment opportunities abroad, often in conflict zones like Israel and Russia.

Kanhaiya Kumar, speaking at a press conference at the AICC headquarters, accused the government of neglecting the needs of the youth and failing to address the root causes of unemployment. He cited the unfortunate death of an Indian civilian worker in Russia and questioned the government's silence on the matter.

"If the youth of the country attain martyrdom for their country then it is patriotism. But why are Indian youths having to go to fight for another country? Because the future of the youth is being played within our country," Kumar asserted, as quoted by PTI's report.

He further criticised the government's employment policies, alleging a significant rise in unemployment rates over the past decade. Kumar highlighted the alarming suicide rates among the youth and condemned the exploitation of their desperation by sending them to work in hazardous conditions abroad.

"Lakhs of posts are vacant in central departments and the condition of government sectors is also very bad, he alleged. Indian youth have been held hostage in Russia because there is a 'mrit kaal (disastrous times)' going on for the youth in our country. If Modi government had provided 2 crore jobs every year, the youth would not have had to go abroad," he said, according to the report.

He further mentioned, "Russia does not have a permanent army and it runs on contract with a similar model of 'Agniveer' being brought in the country".

"Taking advantage of the helplessness of the country's youth, they were sent to Israel to work as labourers. In this way the lives of the youth of the country are being played with," he alleged, as per per PTI.

MEA On Stranded Indians In Russia

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Jaiswal emphasised the government's commitment to assisting the stranded Indians in Russia, assuring ongoing efforts to ensure their safe return. Reports indicating that some Indian workers have been compelled to engage in combat alongside Russian soldiers along the Ukraine border have also surfaced.

"We are trying our best to get them out. We are trying to get them discharged and support them," Jaiswal assured.