Why are youth protesting against Agneepath Scheme? Myths and Facts

The Central Government had launched the 'Agneepath Scheme' for army recruitment on Tuesday. According to this, young people in the age limit of 17.5 years to 21 years will have the opportunity to serve in the army for four years.

After this, 25% of the youth will be retained. In simple words, this means that 25 out of 100 people will have the opportunity to serve full-time. In Bihar, protesters blocked the railway tracks in Buxar, then set things on fire in Madipur in Muzaffarpur and blocked the road. Apart from this, there was also a lot of ruckus in Ara. The police and GRP also tried to convince the protesters, but they remain firm in demanding that the plan be withdrawn.

A large number of youths also opposed the plan in UP's Ambedkar Nagar district. Also in Jaipur of Rajasthan, youth took to the road and demanded the closure of the scheme. Protesters said that the Modi government has fooled them once again, "Even if we are appointed, what will we do after four years?"

Army hopefuls disrupted rail and road traffic in various parts of Bihar on Wednesday in protest against the "Agnipath" scheme which proposes the recruitment of Jawans on a contractual basis for a period of four years followed by mandatory retirement for most without tip or pension benefits.

In Buxar district, more than 100 youths stormed the railway station and crouched on the tracks, blocking the Janshatabdi Express journey to Patna for nearly 30 minutes.

They raised slogans against the scheme, revealed the day before by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, until security personnel led by RPF inspector Deepak Kumar and GRP SHO Ramashish Prasad arrived at the scene and warned them against disrupting rail traffic. .

There were reports in a section of the regional media that the protesters had thrown stones at the Pataliputra Express, which passed through the station, although both Kumar and Prasad denied this.

In the city of Muzaffarpur, a large number of army hopefuls have vented their anger by setting burning tires on the roads around the sprawling "Chakkar Maidan", where they turn up in large numbers for the physical tests that are mandatory for jawan recruitment.

In many districts of Haryana including Palwal, Rewari, Rohtak and Charkhi Dadri, youth have protested against this scheme of the government.

In Palwal, the youth who came to protest against this scheme became agitated, due to which the protest turned violent. The protesters torched four vehicles, besides pelting stones at the deputy commissioner's office and residence.

After this, Haryana Police lathi-charged to disperse the crowd. Meanwhile, in Rohtak, a youth has committed suicide in protest against the Agneepath scheme.

Here's a look at some of the myths busted:

Myth 1: The future of 'Agniveers', those who enroll under the 'Agnipath' scheme, is insecure

Reality: Agniveers who have retired after their period of service and want to be entrepreneurs will get financial assistance in the form of a package. They can also apply for a bank loan.

Myth 2: The scheme will reduce opportunities for young people

Truth: Opportunities for young people to serve in the armed forces will increase. In the coming years, the Agniveer set will be almost three times larger than the current set in the Armed Forces.

Myth 3: This will affect regimental connections

Truth: there are no changes in the regimental system. In fact, it will become more powerful as the best Agniveer is selected, which will further strengthen the unity of the unit.

Agneepath Scheme

• Announcing the move, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said it was a “historic” decision. The heads of the three services (Army, Navy and Air Force) were present at the launch.

• Under the plan, some 45,000 people between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be admitted to services for a four-year term. Recruits will start within the next 90 days and the first batch will be ready by July 2023.

• As for the Armed Forces, it will raise the youth profile of the Armed Forces and provide a new opportunity for ‘Josh’ and ‘Jazba’ while at the same time creating a transformational shift towards a more tech-savvy Armed Forces, which is of made the need of the hour. The average age profile of the Indian armed forces is expected to be reduced by about 4-5 years with the implementation of this scheme.

• The nation will benefit immensely from the infusion of highly inspired young people with a deeper understanding of self-discipline, diligence, and focus who will be properly trained and able to contribute in other sectors.

• The dividends of short military service to the nation, society, and the nation’s youth are immense. This includes the instilling of patriotism, teamwork, improved physical fitness, ingrained loyalty to country, and the availability of trained personnel to advance national security in times of external threats, internal threats, and natural disasters.

• After four years, only 25 percent of these soldiers will stick around and join the regular cadre and go on to serve a full 15 years in non-commissioned ranks.

• The rest will leave the services with a package between ₹11 lakh – ₹12 lakh, but they will not be eligible for pension benefits. The forces announced that provisions have been made for loss of life or disability due to service injury.

• Moreover, the ‘Seva Nidhi’ of approximately Rs 11.71 lakh would aid the Agniveer to pursue his/her future dreams without the financial pressure, which is normally the case for young people from the financially deprived strata of society.

• The scheme will contemplate the incorporation of 46,000 young people aged 17.5 to 21 in the three branches of the Armed Forces (the Army, the Navy and the Air Force) this year and the soldiers recruited under the scheme will be called ‘Agniveer’.

• They will serve for only four years, including a six-month training period instead of 15-19 years. The qualifying criteria for soldiers is to remain the same as before.

• Soldiers recruited under the scheme will get a monthly salary ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 rupees. They will be given a separate hazard and hardship allowance on par with regular soldiers based on where they are stationed.

On Tuesday (June 14th), Defence Minister Rajnat Singh and commanders of the army, navy and air force announced a scheme to recruit young people to Agnipat's Armed Forces.

Revealing the scheme, Singh said it was a transformational initiative and would provide a youth profile for the armed forces.

Under the Agnipath scheme, about 46,000 soldiers will be recruited this year between the ages of 17 and a half to 21 for three services on a four-year short-term contract to try to hire a locksmith. and young troops to address future security challenges facing the nation.

This scheme will reduce the average age of a soldier from the current 32 years to 24-26 years in six to seven years. Of the total number of annual recruits, only 25% have the right to work for another 15 years of the standing committee.

Under the old system, young people aged 16 and a half to 21 were selected for at least 15 years of service and used to receive a post-retirement pension.

Govt increased age limit

The Modi government has announced to increase in the recruitment age by two years for this year. The government on Thursday increased the maximum age limit of candidates under this scheme from 21 years to 23 years. However, this age limit has been increased for this year only.

Till now the age for recruitment was fixed from 17.5 to 21 years. However, due to the Corona epidemic, he could not join the army for two years.

According to The Hindu, the Defense Ministry spokesperson said, “Taking cognizance of the recruitment not being possible during the last two years, the government has decided to give one-time relaxation in the age limit. Under the Agneepath scheme, the upper age limit for the year 2022 has been increased to 23 years.

Protest across Country

From Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Hyderabad and Uttarakhand, Assam, and West Bengal the opposition to the ‘Agneepath scheme’ related to recruitment in the army continues.

Hundreds of people also gathered in the Secunderabad city to throw stones at the police. Their actions are seen as a sign that protests are spreading across the country.

NDTV has reported that phone internet and SMS services have been suspended for 24 hours after stone-throwing and violence by candidates recruited in Haryana's Palwal district. Police had to fire air after attacks by protesters and police vehicles set fire to police vehicles.

The new recruitment system in the army has been dubbed 'Agni Path', under which men and women between the ages of 17 and 21 will be recruited into the army for a period of four years, of which only a quarter will be recruited. The army will be maintained for a long time.

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