Noida: Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Rakesh Tikait on Wednesday said his farmers’ group would begin a campaign against the Centre’s new military recruitment scheme Agnipath from August 7.

Addressing a farmers’ congregation in the Tikri area of Baghpat district in western Uttar Pradesh, Tikait said the “fight with the central government and the Uttar Pradesh government” over the issue was yet to begin.

“The campaign against the Agnipath scheme will begin on August 7 and continue for over a week,” the BKU national spokesperson said, calling for support from the farming community.

He also alleged that old police cases against farmers were being dug up in order to intimidate them in the wake of major protests in recent years.

“When the BJP’s government was formed in Uttar Pradesh, the cases against BJP members were closed. So, either they should be prepared for cases or we are ready for a movement,” Tikait said.

“Those in Lucknow and Delhi should listen to this carefully. You can break political parties, you can dissociate leaders of farmers’ groups but cannot break the farmers. Farmers will protest against you (government),” he said.

Tikait also highlighted issues related to acquisition of land, power tariff and pending sugarcane dues among others as he addressed the crowd of hundreds of farmers.

Tikait rose to national prominence during the 2020-21 protests in Delhi against the now-repealed central farm laws.

Courtesy: The Daily Siasat

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It is unfortunate that the Agnipath Scheme protests by youth turned violent. After trying to put things in order, now the government stands firm on rolling out the Agnipath Scheme. But, how will this scheme influence our forces? Let’s take a look at eight loopholes or unanswered questions.

First of all, there was a problem that needed solution. Pensions form more than 50% of defence budget. At the same time, economy is also not doing that well. After Galwan clash, defence budget was hiked. But the point is how to solve the problem? Is Agnipath the right solution? How will Agniveers be re-employed? After widespread protest, some measures pertaining to crucial elements missed earlier,have been notified.

However, there still remain eightelements that need to be pondered upon. Let’s discuss them briefly.

1. There is a social angle to the ongoing protest. Children of bureaucrats and politicians don’t join the army. It is usually the children of poor farmers who do. One can say it is out of patriotism, they work so hard day and night. They struggle diligently to chase that dream. Security and respect are another part of the job in the armed forces. They realise the importance of the uniform. But, now the government is saying that this job may only be as long as four years, and competition is even morethan before. It’d be disheartening for a soldier to be relived from duty after that time.
2. Secondly, even if there is no problem of lost respect, what about further opportunity? What about the remainder highly trained 75% Agniveer? Government plans to recruit them in CAPF. Whereas home ministry has maintained for years that terms and type of service in CAPF is different from that in Army. So, the two forces are of different backgrounds in training and administration. Will this solve the problem time will tell. Right now, the government is trying to portray that the opportunities are limitless, even if 75% of the recruits are relieved of duty. Another thing: entry into corporate sector possible, as Anand Mahindra suggested? I did not quite understand – does he believe Agniveer will provide technical, administrative and management solutions? No need for an MBA or BTech degree for anyone? Anand Mahindra was asked: Has his esteemed Group been able to give jobs to thousands of highly retired ex-servicemen so far? His reply is still awaited.
    
3. Fact is, highly trained ex-servicemen (with experience of 30-35 yrs) do not get job in the market that easily. Survey by Dept of Defence & National Security Studies, Punjab University revealed that 80-90 ex-servicemen of Gurdaspur found sainik board job. 1,500-1,600 applied. Are there enough jobs for thousands of Agniveers? The narrative is being built that there will be. What would highly trained educated and unemployed do? Will it be law and order issue?
    
4. Four years is not a long time. By the time they are ready, their tenure will be over. Only 25% will continue in the army. It is a drain of energy and money.Did the makers of the scheme not realize that? Army veterans say it takes at least eight years to properly handle complex machinery. It will take much effort and funds to train the youth.Army has limited budget. In beginning of last decade this was 2.8% of GDP and 2.1% of GDP just before pandemic. After Galwan this was increased again.
    
5. Moving on to pension. It has been pointed out that pensions form large part of defence budget. The scheme will lessen burden of pension.As far as expenditure is concerned, what of Group-A services and civilian defence employees?Their description is of defence force but they don’t wear uniform and get faster promotion and 45% pension goes to civilian defence employees.Never heard of pension issues with bureaucracy and political class.
6. As there was no pilot project the scheme is being implemented much too quickly. No parliamentary committee was set up to examine it, the scheme was announced directly.Is this Raw Wisdom at work? Just read what Major General G.D. Bakshi has spoken on the scheme. Government tried to clarify that this scheme is small part. Normal recruitment will also go on. But that is not so, this scheme will be sole medium of recruitment.The decision is like demonetisation and GST, done in haste. Its future is uncertain so tweaks are required.What changes will be needed in Agniveer scheme? Like contractual teachers and hospital staff demand permanent jobs, they might also.Agitation that we saw in last few days may again happen.
7. How much money will be saved? There is no answer yet. The scheme will streamline budget. No studies related to that out.No doubt pension payment is a big part of budget but Agnipath scheme will help?Rajnath Singh is saying, savings is not their viewpoint, and theyready to put more money. Then why was this scheme announced?If pensions are to be reduced, reduce those of MPs and MLAs.

8. Why only 4 years? It is a short tenure, training will take at least half that time.The aspirants will be under lot of physical and mental pressure. How much will armed forces benefit it is yet to be seen.Military experts suggest extending 4 year period to make it more worthwhile for everyone.CDS Bipin Rawat wanted longer tenure for generals. And it is possible too to serve longer. We are being told that this scheme will make army young.

9. Battlefield is ever changing. Lastly, important point, all India all class regiment. What about old regiments like Gorkha Regiment?This has been a long tradition. Military personnel say that this regiment system is vital. It strengthens the army immensely.NSA Ajit Doval assured that regiment system won’t end. Ultimately it must be addressed concretely as more Agniveers are recruited.

Conclusion

Every scheme has some pros and cons, but the government is implementing this scheme very hastily. There is a need to stop and look back again before implementing this scheme.

Some solutions include Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) to reduce army size, not forceful exit. If they wish to do other job or business, they should also get package.Technological dependence will gradually increase, size should be limited. Secondly, the scheme should be made dynamic. It should be flexible for our soldiers.Gradual retirement will work by establishing a proficient recruitment board. Many claim they will hire Agniveer, but it should be ensured by system.

Therefore, there are so many ways to improve. Consultation and taking everyone in perspective is important. Right now, it is being imposed, like GST, and declared masterstroke. But this scheme should be reconsidered before implementation and it should come as pilot project first to ascertain its impact.

*Views expressed are the authors’ own. The authors are students of ICFAI University Dehradun.

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India’s peasantry opposes Agnipath scheme
Scrap the ‘Agnipath Scheme’, protesters stage violent protests countrywide

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Cancel the Agnipath scheme and enforce regular recruitment instead, appealed farmers’ umbrella body Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in a letter addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind.

Apprehensive of the scheme’s impact on Indian agriculture, the SKM asked the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army to opt for regular army recruitment to fill previous 1,25,000 vacancies and about 60,000 posts to be vacant this year. Similarly, it asked that the government complete the process where it has already started, considering non-recruitment for the last two years. As per youths’ requests the SKM also asked for an age relaxation of two years for general recruitment.

What is the Agnipath scheme?

The central government will recruit youths between the ages 17.5 and 21 years in the military for contractual jobs for only four years under the Agnipath scheme. At the end of four years of service, a quarter of the employees will receive permanent jobs. Further, the recruitment will be on a ‘All India All Class’ basis instead of a regiment-based area community quota prevalent until recently.

However, these temporary employees termed ‘Agniveers’ will receive neither rank nor gratuity nor pension. There is also the issue of the upper-age limit that excludes many youths awaiting recruitment for the last two pandemic years. It is for such varied reasons that India’s youth have held protests across the country. Farmers and trade unions have voiced their condemnation of the scheme as well.

SKM members too opposed this scheme stating that it halts the direct recruitment of youths to permanent army jobs in the army. Already, the process of confirmed recruitment in the Army and Air Force which had already started was cancelled in lieu of this scheme.

“Only 46,000 people will be appointed in the first year of this scheme and two lakh Agniveers will be appointed in the first four years as against 87,000 in the previous 2020 recruitment,” said the SKM.

Moreover, it condemned the government announcement that youths protesting this scheme will not be allowed to apply for the same. Farmer argued that applicants should not be conditioned to take an affidavit which deprives them of their right to democratic demonstration. As such, it demanded that the government withdraw all cases against anti-Agnipath protesters and release arrested youths.

Contentions against the scheme

Farmer leaders criticised the government for failing to carry out a pilot exercise of the scheme. Officials did not discuss these proposals before either Houses of Parliament or the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence Affairs. Instead, leaders pointed out that the government retained the existing regimental recruitment system and increased the retirement age in recent years.

“It has become clear from the nationwide discussion about this scheme for the last few days that it is a big blow to national security,” said the SKM.

It warned that the scheme will halve or further lessen the armed forces strength in the next 15 years, starting from a time when threats to national security from neighbouring countries worsen.

The SKM said former Army generals, officers, gallantry medalists like Param Vir Chakra and military experts also warned about the dire consequences of this scheme. The scheme also comes at a time when the national security budget is reduced from 17.8 percent of the central government’s expenditure in the year 2017-18 to 13.2 percent in 2021-22.

“It is a great injustice to the youth to make three-fourths of Agniveers stand on the road after four years of service. The reality is that the government has not been able to make satisfactory arrangements for rehabilitation even for most of the ex-servicemen who have served 15 to 18 years. What arrangement will it make for the employment of Agniveer?” asked the SKM.

To voice solidarity with aspiring youths, farmers have called for nationwide farmers’ protests on June 24. The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations too voiced their support for the protest.

“Such a dubiously designed scheme severely degenerating quality of employment in the country’s armed forces will be damaging and disastrous for the country’s security and combative preparedness, besides dampening the morale and determination of our soldiers,” said CTUs in a joint press release.

Related:

India’s peasantry opposes Agnipath scheme

Centre tightens security against anti-agnipath Bharat Bandh

Scrap the ‘Agnipath Scheme’, protesters stage violent protests countrywide

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On June 20, 2022, Hari Bhushan Thakur Bachaul, a habitual spewer of hateful anti-minority venom, used the term “Jihadi” to describe youth protesting the Agnipath scheme for army recruitment. “Jihad” is a vilified term that originally means Muslims who carry out a holy war as sacred duty, and has been often used by Islamophobes in an attempt to demonise the minority community. Though he has made remarks targeting Muslims in the past as well, his intentions appear to me more sinister this time.

Given how the outbreak of violence during the Agnipath protests took place shortly after the anti-Nupur Sharma protests that were led by the Muslim community, one wonders if Bachaul is trying to conflate the identities of all protesters, so that it comes easier to dehumanise, demonise and hate them.

What did Bachaul say?

According to the The Times of India Bahaul, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bisfi, said, “Who are indulging in violence? Those involved are the ‘jihadi’ people and also the ‘samikaranvadi log’ (people who believe in forging political equations to form a government).” Bachol further said, “Those who are desperate to form government by hook or crook are behind the violence,” referring to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) without actually naming it specifically. He continued, “However, youths who nurse ‘desh prem’ and are ready to sacrifice themselves for it are happy (with the Agnipath scheme).”

Bachaul’s previous hate offenses

Hari Bhushan Bachaul is a habitual hatea offender against whom the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) had complained to the National Commission for Minorities in May 2022. In May 2022, Haribhushan Thakur Bachaul’s statements, telecast on a video uploaded by News 24, he had openly compared Muslims to demons and called for them to be set ablaze… something that is in effect an open call for genocide of members of the Muslim minority.

While speaking to news reporters, comparing Muslims to demons like Ravan (the chief antagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayan), Bachaul had said, “We need Hanuman ji so that our youth can be strong, and the people of our country can be strong. Just like Ravana’s Lanka was burnt by Hanuman ji, the demon-like Ravanas, who are hovering over Bihar and the country, should also be burnt.”  

CJP’s complaint had pointed out how this statement was a clear violation of Indian criminal law. Acting on CJP’s complaint, NCM had written to the Director General of Police (DGP) Bihar to act within 21 days.

Going into the background of the MLA from the party that rules in the Central government and is an alliance partner in the Bihar government, the complaint also spotlighted the earlier, derogatory remarks made by Bachaul in February this year stating that Muslims living in India should be stripped of voting rights and treated as second class citizens. He said, “In 1947, the country [India] was divided in the name of religion and they got another country [Pakistan]. They should go to another country. If they are living here, then I demand from the government that their voting rights be withdrawn. They [Muslims] can live in India as second-class citizens.”

Again, also highlighting another incident from last year where he makes remarks on Muslims fertility rate, the CJP complaint contains a detailed documentation of his hate-filled conduct. The legislator was caught in 2021 saying, “Muslims want to convert India into an Islamic state. Law should be brought to control the population in the country. The resources in the country are very limited but some people want to increase the population and capture and turn India into an Islamic country. Muslim community is indulging into this. It is important to control the population in order to make India into a developed country from a developing country.”

Will this affect political equations?

On June 20, while commenting on the protesters who are agitated over the Agnipath scheme, he not only termed them “jihadis” but also slandered the opposition RJD. Both the RJD and also the BJP’s ally in Bihar, HAM(S) have, since criticised his remarks. Without naming the political parties, but broadly meaning RJD and like-minded parties, Bachaul also said that it was the handiwork of “people who believe in forging equations to desperately form governments.”

He did not spare even the BJP ally JD(U) and said its national president Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh and parliamentary board chairman Upendra Kushwaha also fanned the violence of the Army aspirants by making their anti-Agnipath remarks.

The constituency from where Bachaul has been elected in 2020 falls in the Madhubani district. He won the seat in 2020, defeating Da. Faiyaz Ahmad of the RJD by a margin of 10241 votes. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP candidate Ashok Kumar Yadav won from Madhubani Lok Sabha (MP) seat with the margin of 4,54,940 votes by defeating Badri Kumar Purbey of the Vikassheel Insaan Party.

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The post Demons to Jihadis, BJP’s Haribhushan Bachaul targets Muslims yet again appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A day after India’s youths called for a Bharat Bandh, farmers bodies called for similar pan-India protests against the Agnipath scheme on June 21 and June 24, 2022. Leaders appealed to people not to fall into the provocation of the BJP-led governments and the Sangh Parivar.

Stating that the Centre announced the scheme after failing on its 2014-promise of two crore jobs annually, the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) asked its units and the All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) to hold protests.

AIKS General Secretary Hannan Mollah said the government has announced a fixed term contract of four years, without pension, for the unemployed youth. Most of these aspiring youths historically come from peasant families. “The AIKS strongly condemns the BJP-RSS for spreading canards against protestors and the efforts of the government to suppress the youth using brute force. This move insults the aspirations of millions of unemployed youth who invest a lot in the hope of getting secure jobs. It also undermines the armed forces of our country,” said Mollah.

The organisation also voiced the concern that the scheme will lead to militarisation of society during a time of “state-sponsored fascistic violence against religious and ethnic minorities.” Therefore, AIKS asked that instead of this scheme, the government revoke the recruitment ban in different Public Sector Undertakings like Railways, in universities etc.

Similarly, farmers’ umbrella body Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) called for solidarity protests on Friday. A seven-member coordination committee discussed the move at Karnal, Haryana on Monday.

“When the central government is bent upon destroying the spirit of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, it is the duty of the farmer’s movement to stand shoulder to shoulder with the jawans in this struggle,” said the SKM in a press release.

The protests will begin on the same day that the Agniveer recruitment will begin. Farmers will submit memorandums to the President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, after peaceful demonstrations at the local-level. Leaders also called the scheme anti-military, anti-farmer and anti-national. Further, leaders decried the government for “playing with the national security” and the farmer families of the country. The SKM reasoned that an army job is tied to the economic strength of lakhs of farmer families.

The support from farmers adds to the already huge support from trade unions against the scheme. Even before the Bharat Bandh, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) supported the student condemnation of the Agnipath scheme.

Secretary Amarjeet Kaur spoke about how retired military commanders, experienced in the military establishment, were flabbergasted at the “scatterbrained” scheme. The AITUC said that the scheme will weaken the military establishment and endanger society at large when “Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!” It accused the BJP of formulating such schemes with the single goal of winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Agnipath is another step taking the nation into an uncertain future, with unknown consequences,” said Amarjeet, adding, “It gives a lie to the oft repeated claim of the BJP of being ultra-nationalists, when they try to do away with pension and social security for those who have defended the borders of our country, putting their lives at stake!”

Related:

Centre tightens security against anti-agnipath Bharat Bandh
Scrap the ‘Agnipath Scheme’, protesters stage violent protests countrywide

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Governments tightened security across railway stations and roads as traffic worsened during youths’ Bharat Bandh on June 20, 2022 against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme. As per reports, at least 877 people were arrested in Bihar and another 475 arrested in Uttar Pradesh for staging violent protests. In case of the latter, 330 people were arrested for serious charges, said News NCR.

UP’s ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar told media persons that 39 cases were registered by Monday. There was heavy deployment of police and no untoward incident occurred. However, sources told Sabrang India that the Varanasi administration suffered considerable loss during the protests via damages to buses, city transport and similar government property. This loss will now be compensated from arrested protesters in jail. The police will also assess the role of the arrested in the June 17 violence.

Further, sources said that the city police is screening all youths between 18 and 24 years of age to make sure there is peace in the city. Children are asked to show their identity cards before entering the city.

However, the outrage regarding the scheme is already simmering among students. The government remains firm on its stand regarding the short-term military recruitment scheme. On the same day as the Bharat Bandh, the Army issued a notification for the induction of soldiers under the scheme. The online registration for this will begin from July.

This despite protests in Delhi by students wherein the Delhi police dragged and thrashed protesters. Student unions had voiced support for the Bandh in lieu of this behaviour. Protests erupted across states after June 14 when the central government announced the plan to recruit youths between 17.5 and 21 years in the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.

The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) too voiced its solidarity with the protests, who according to the union, have realised the “real meaning” of the scheme.

“There are others, retired military commanders, who know the military establishment inside out, who are flabbergasted at this scatterbrained Scheme. They have warned that on the one hand Agnipath will weaken the military establishment and on the other, endanger Society at large when Agniveers are let loose on the streets, unemployed and without pension!” said General Secretary Amarjeet Kaur.

Further, farmers umbrella body Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) too voiced its support for the protest, describing the scheme as “playing with the future of the country”.

Condemn the brutality by the Delhi Police on the students and youth who took to streets today to protest against the Agnipath Scheme.

Comrade AA Rahim, All India President, DYFI and MP, Rajya Sabha was dragged and thrashed by the police and is still under detention

Rise in rage pic.twitter.com/WqhqV2Qzvz

— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) June 19, 2022

Congress leaders too announced a satyagraha at Jantar Mantar in Delhi to express solidarity against the Agnipath scheme. Youth Congress workers were detained after they blocked a train at the Shivaji Bridge railway station near Connaught Place. Further, parts of Delhi where jam-packed with cards although no undue incident occurred.

Overall, at least 527 trains were cancelled across India in preparation for the protest. Already, NDTV reported how the Railways suffered a major loss of property due to arson and rioting by protesters over the last five days.

The Free Press Journal reported how over 20 students were nabbed by the Adhartal police in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh for allegedly planning a protest. According to the police, the youths had formed a WhatsApp group but the police took them into custody and placed them under house arrest for more than 10 hours.

However, according to the youth Abhishek Kumar speaking to the newspaper, they only wanted to submit a memorandum peacefully. In Jharkhand, schools were closed for the day.

Security was similarly tightened at railway stations, bus stands and central government offices of Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. Youngsters were disallowed from holding protests or bandhs and warned of stern action, said Sakshi news.

However, in Bihar such warnings did not deter students from engaging in vibrant protests condemning the scheme. Authorities suspended mobile internet services in 20 districts, i.e., over half of the state.

https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid025KpbaMi5g8NRCG4aVPjjAXu91iU3muEq7de1ShnB6XoAmxrkaCutDPZv6RiRcBXql&id=100064630996023&sfnsn=wiwspwa

Meanwhile, the cancellation of trains had affected the coal supply to thermal plants of Punjab, reported Amar Ujala. There has been a 60 percent reduction in the rakes of coal coming to Punjab, causing a shortage of the fuel. Further, a group of job aspirants in Haryana blocked the Lal Batti Chowk in Fatehabad. Several others staged a protest on roads in Rohtak district.

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Scrap the ‘Agnipath Scheme’, protesters stage violent protests countrywide

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Trains were set afire, rail and road traffic disputed, window panes of buses smashed, and passers-by, including a ruling BJP MLA, pelted with stones as the protests spread to multiple states across the country. The protests against the Armed Forces’ new recruitment plan Agnipath turned violent Thursday as aspirant’s disrupted rail and road traffic in several parts of Bihar, Haryana, New Delhi, Jammu and Jharkhand. Agnipath is the Central Government’s new recruitment policy for the defence forces under which about 45,000 people between the age of 17.5 years and 21 years will be inducted into the services for a four-year tenure. Protesters have been demanding the reinstatement of the previous recruitment system. There is serious concern that this is not just an informalisation of a serious profession but ensures no protection of service.

Images of trains being set on fire, rail and road traffic disputed, window panes of buses smashed, and passers-by, including a ruling BJP MLA, pelted with stones poured in as the protests spread to multiple states across the country. Protests were also seen at Delhi’s Nangloi Railway Station as aspirants stopped trains demanding a rollback of the decision. Similar scenes were also seen in Jammu where the police resorted to lathicharge outside the Army’s recruitment office at B C Road as hundreds of protestors blocked the busy Tawi bridge disrupting vehicular traffic. Hundreds of young people also took to the streets in Haryana’s Gurugram, Rewari and Palwal against the scheme. A police vehicle was damaged in stone pelting in Palwal and the Agra Chowk on National Highway 19 was blocked.

Meanwhile, in a clear attempt to pacify protesters, the Central Government released a “Myths vs Facts” document addressing the concerns raised on the recruitment plan. The government has said that those wishing to be entrepreneurs after their service as Agniveers will get a financial package and bank loan scheme and those wishing to study further will be given a 12th Class equivalent certificate and a bridging course for further studies, and those who want salaried jobs will be given priority in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police

Opposition parties have sharply criticised the new form of recruitment. As protests raged across several states against the new Agnipath scheme for recruiting soldiers across the three services, the Congress today asked the government to keep the scheme in “abeyance” and hold “wide consultations” with serving and retired officers arguing that the scheme seems to be “poorly conceived” and “hastily drawn up”. Addressing a press conference at the AICC headquarters, former Union minister P Chidambaram said the scheme is “controversial, carries multiple risks, subverts the long-standing traditions and ethos of the armed forces and there is no guarantee that the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be better trained and motivated to defend the country”. He added, “We have read and heard the views expressed by retired defence officers. Almost unanimously, they have opposed the scheme and we believe that many serving officers share the same reservations about the scheme,” he said. The Congress said it has several concerns regarding the scheme – the first one being the short training and short service

Meanwhile, the Haryana home department suspended internet facilities in Palwal following protests against the Centre’s new Agnipath scheme. “In order to maintain law and order in Palwal and to prevent any rumours being spread, the home department has imposed an immediate ban in Palwal district on mobile internet services, SMS, dongle services etc. The ban has been imposed on a temporary basis. This order shall remain in force for the next 24 hours. The banking and mobile recharge facilities will continue to function in the district”, the home department’s order read.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly disapproves the ‘Agnipath’ scheme that does disservice to India’s national interests. Professional armed forces cannot be raised by recruiting ‘soldiers on contract’ for a period of four years, says the statement.. This scheme, to save pension money, severely compromises the quality and efficiency of our professional armed forces.

For the last two years there has been no recruitment in the Indian army. Instead of recruiting regular soldiers into the armed forces this scheme leaves such contract soldiers with no other prospects of employment after their four years. This creates a dangerous situation where they may end up serving private militias. This has hazardous implications for our social fabric already under severe strain. 

It is criminal to call upon our youth to be prepared to make the supreme sacrifice without the minimum protection of job security. The spontaneous protests in various parts of the country, reflects the anger against this scheme. 

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) has demanded that this ‘Agnipath’ scheme be scrapped forthwith and regular recruitment into the armed forces be undertaken urgently. 

Meanwhile this Facebook post by Meha Dhondiyal says it all,

“My dad was a teenager doing engineering when the 1962 war with china started, and in a fit of patriotism he volunteered to join the army. He was inducted as a 2nd Lieutenant, promoted to a Captain and served in the army for both 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, after which as a Short Service Commission officer he was retired.  

“He got no pension, no gratuity, except the title of Captainsaheb from everyone which he tom-toms proudly even today.  He managed to make a decent life for himself and his family by working constantly, and in his 80s still works for his living. I have never heard him say a word against the army or ever bring up the point of not having a pension but when he has to work in his 80s when he should be retired comfortably with a pension, I can see it pinches him.

“Recently after a long battle by his fellow veterans(only a handful are alive) in court, a pension was ordered for the short service commission officers who took part in the war,  but the government  directed that only those should get pension if there was  direct fighting on their front. 

“This is a ridiculous directive. All regiments are ready during a war to combat whenever commanded. To differentiate between army men because the enemy attacked at a certain front and not at another is demeaning (because) a soldier doesn’t decide which regiment will fight. Nothing hurts my father more than this injustice. And nowadays he tells anyone who will listen about this injustice starting with “I was first and foremost a soldier….”

“Why am I telling u this story? Because this is the kind of chindi (cheap) mentality this government has towards the veterans. Remember this is not thousands of crores of rupees but depriving a few veterans in their 80s of pension at the end of their lives….

“Now imagine lakhs of young men like my dad, trained for four years as jawans, serving in conflict zones probably and booted out of the army at 26, with no, no pension or any perks for their service, starting from scratch for a career, with most alluring prospects as private militias or security. This is what the Agniveer plan is. 

How many bright young men do you think will opt to join the Government’s short sighted Agnipath plan as Agniveers? Let one bureaucrat or minister volunteer their kid as an Agniveer.

 How many gun toting half-baked and frustrated young men will we give rise to?

And what kind of ad hoc army will we have?

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