A day after the Centre launched Agnipath, a major recruitment scheme for the armed forces, youngsters ransacked several states, with youth accusing the government of not providing job security, however, armed forces chiefs and officials said That people are being given ‘wrong information.
Particular candidates from the armed forces expressed dissatisfaction over the length of service under the scheme, no pension provision for early release, and an age restriction of 17.5 to 21 years.
Therefore, the protesters demanded the government withdraw this scheme and said that the process of recruitment should be the same as before.
Candidates talking to news agencies
A protester told the news agency, “We demand that the reinstatement in the army be done as before. The scheme of Agnipath should be withdrawn. No candidates will serve in the army for only 4 years.”
Another protester said, “Where will we go after working for just four years? After serving four years we will be jobless and homeless. We have blocked the roads. The ruler of the country will know that citizens are aware.
Delhi Chief Minister has desired the central government to give a chance to the youngster to serve the nation not just for four yrs but for a lifetime.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi came out in support of defense candidates opposing the Agnipath scheme. Targeting the PM, the Gandhi descendants said that the central government is neither giving employment nor respecting the army forces.
What is the Agnipath scheme?
The Defense Ministry of India will employ 46,000 youth every year for 4 years, where the recruits will be trained by the armed forces in the required skills.
Of these, around 25 percent will be held for an additional 15-yrs term for indefinite commission. Others candidates will be allowed to leave and given a service fund – a lump sum amount of Rs 11.71 lakh and interest thereon will also be given.
The recruited candidates will get a monthly package that includes benefits like hardship and risk allowances. The recruited candidates will get a monthly income of Rupees thirty thousand to forty thousand.
Agni veers candidates will also receive a non-contributory insurance cover of ₹48 lakh during this period.
Violent protests have spread to several parts of the state including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
In Uttar Pradesh
Several youths also protested in the Bulandshahr and Ballia districts of Uttar Pradesh. The objectors congregate in the area of Khurja and the town of Bulandshahr and raised a tagline against the central government and demanded the withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme.
The Agnipath scheme proposes to recruit jawans on a contract basis for four years, after which most would be given compulsory retirement without gratuity and pension benefits.
However, the plan has also faced a lot of criticism, described by some as an unprecedented improvement. the objectors scattered after the administrator assured them to appraise the concerned authorities of their demands.
In Bihar
Angry protesters broke the glass of an Intercity Express train and set a coach on fire at Bhabua Road railway station. “Army lovers, they raised taglines to reject the newly discovered Agnipath recruitment scheme.
In Arrah, protesters pelted stones on a train, which brought rail traffic to a standstill on that route.
Candidates suspect that a short-term entry route would mean that existing vacancies that would have guaranteed them pension and at least 15 years of service in which they were preparing, would now be filled by contractual workers who would be of great cheap to the government.
In the Buxar city, over a hundred youngsters rushed to the Buxar railway station and sat on the railway tracks, deranging the onward journey of the Patna-bound train Jan Shatabdi Express for about thirty minutes.
In Muzaffarpur city, a huge number of army aspirants release their anger by protesting and putting burning tires on the streets of the city. Several candidates also walked towards the collectorate office where candidates submitted a complaint letter to the district magistrate.
In Begusarai, several candidates, many of them NCC cadets, demonstrated at Mahadev Chowk where they put up a huge poster with the call to withdraw the Agnipath scheme.
In Rajasthan
The Defense job aspirants led by Rashtriya Loktantrik Party protested in many parts of Rajasthan.
