Protests against the Agnipath Military Scheme continue in various parts of the country. Secunderabad and Telangana are burning under this huge protest.
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Protests began as soon as the Central Government announced the Agnipath Military Scheme on Tuesday. The protests were initially seen in the state of Bihar but soon it took a big shape all over the country. Various forms of protests were seen taking place against this scheme. Angry mobs were seen stone pelting, destroying public properties, burning down trains, vehicles and buses.
All About the Agnipath Scheme
Agnipath is a new scheme that was announced by the Central Government of India on 14th of June 2022. This scheme is for the recruitment of the soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces. The youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers. Youth from the age of 18 to 23 years are eligible for applying for this scheme.
Mass Protest in various areas of the country
Mass protests are witnessed in many areas of the country because protesters are of the view that the people who will be recruited below the officer rank will only have a service period of four years, after which they will be discharged. Most People are not in favor of this scheme and want the present government to take back the scheme as they are not finding it beneficial for the youth.
Violent protests are being carried out in various parts of Southern India. Huge agitations are taking place at Secunderabad railway station. Many trains have been set on fire. In Telangana, one protester lost his life while several others got injured after shots were fired at the mob in the secunderabad railway station.
Large scale violence continued in the Secunderabad station and many trains were set on fire by the protesters. In Secunderabad a body of a 24year old was taken in a procession for cremation. He died in the protest and was an army aspirant. Kerala also has seen a lot of angry protesters protesting for the withdrawal of the bill. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan requested the Prime Minister and central government to take over the scheme.
Bihar the hotspot of the protests.
The protest for the Agnipath scheme was initiated from Bihar. Angry mobs were seen from Wednesday taking to streets and showing violent forms of protest. The situation became worse and soon it went out of the reach of local police. Internet services had been banned in about twelve districts of Bihar. Districts like Buxer, Aurangabad, Chapra, Bhojpur, Begusarai were the districts in which most violence took place. Section 144 had been imposed all over the districts to manage the angry mob.
In these three days of protest in Bihar at least 620 people have been arrested and 130 FIR’s have been registered. Bihar’s deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi house in Bettiah was also attacked by the agitators. Her son took to twitter to inform them that a lot of damage has been done to their house.
Reaction of Congress Leaders.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi gave their reactions on this scheme. Rahul Gandhi tweeted saying, “ Prime Minister Modi does not understand what the country wants. He can’t hear anything except the voice of his “friends””. Priyanka Gandhi asked the Prime Minister to withdraw the scheme immediately.
Latest developments in Agnipath Scheme
Center announces supportive measures for Agniveers. Rajnath Singh approves 10% reservation in defense ministry jobs for Agniveers. To provide supportive measures to the Agniveers, after their four years of service ends, they will be provided with a 10% reservation on the jobs of the defense if they are eligible to fulfill the criteria required for the job.
