Agneepath Scheme Protest: Why are youth protesting against the Agneepath scheme? All you need to know

A tri-service press conference, headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday.CJI to decide on listing plea seeking probe into damage to public properties. Also, IAF is goingto begin recruitment under Agnipath scheme from June 24. Protests are going on in manyIndian states due to the controversial Agneepath scheme launched by the government. Also, a plea is filed in Supreme Court against India's military hiring scheme which terms it 'illegal'. With trains in Bihar being set on fire, to violence in Telangana, Punjab, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and many other states, the situation remains tense. Eastern Railwayhas said that as many as 29 trains have been cancelled. In West Bengal, protestors evenreached Mamata Banerjee’s residence. West Bengal Police is on alert.

Uttar Pradesh saw pitched protests with instances of arson and stone-pelting in several eastern districts. As many as 269 protesters have been arrested over the last two days, with 168 of them booked on charges of breach of peace. Some organisations even gave a Bharat Bandh call. Police forces all over the country are also on high alert. Massive traffic jams were reported in several parts of Delhi-NCR, particularly at Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Noida borders due to increased security checks by police. Nearly 530 trains were cancelled on Monday. These included 348 passenger trains and 181 Mail/Express trains, the Railways Ministry said.

What is the Agneepath Scheme and What are the key changes made by Centre?

Agneepath Scheme is a recruitment process announcedby the Indian governmentin which youths between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 years would get an opportunity to work with the Indian armed forces. It will be afour-year commitment at the end of which25 per cent of the recruits will beretained for regular service. The recruits will be called 'Agniveers'.

In other news, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said his government will provide “guaranteed” employment to ‘Agniveers’ after their four year stint in the armed forces.Khattar said, “I announce that anyone (the Agniveers) who wants to join Haryana government services, they will be given a guaranteed job, no one will go without a job. We take guarantee for this.” The chief minister said the ‘Agniveers’ will be absorbed in the state’s Group C services and in the police force. BJP leader Harduik Pateland Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Arjun Meghwal also came out in support of the scheme on Monday, saying they will help 10 Agniveers at a personal level.

The Agniveers will get a monthly salary of Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, with 75 per cent of them who get demobilised after four years getting a "Seva Nidhi" exit package of Rs 1.17million. However, the government has made some changes in the scheme,in light of the ongoing protests and confusion among the youth. The upper age limit has now been increased to 23 only for this year due to problems caused in hiring because of the pandemic. Also, proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence has been approved. Also, Union minister Amit Shah has announced that his ministry has decided to give priority to "Agniveers"who will have completed their four years.

Why is the youth protesting against the scheme?

One of the main reasons for protests is the flow of misinformation throughout social media. Internet services are also suspended in states like Haryana and Bihar. However, the government as well as the armed forces are trying to clear out information regarding the scheme. The primary concern among the youth is that the scheme would make the rest 75 per cent of the recruits that would be demobilized, ineligible for pensions, and with an uncertain future, as they would be limited to work for four years. It is also being criticised for failing to provide permanent jobs or healthcare benefits after they retire.

Watch |Gravitas: Indian youth protest Agnipath recruitment scheme

Impact of Agneepath Scheme Protest on Indian Economy

Any violent protestimpacts a country’s economy. Over 500 trains are cancelled. Roads have been blocked in many parts of the country like Rajasthan.The Agneepath protests have seen the destruction of public property, injuries to police personnel and others. The railway department had to suffer huge losses as hundreds of trains were cancelled due to the ongoing ruckus. Trains were set on fire; tracks were damaged across many states in India. Many police officials were also hurt.Bharat Bandh has inconvenienced many office-goers. Houses of party officials havealso been attacked.

All the Updates related to Agneepath Scheme till now

Dr. S. Jaishankar, the external affairs minister of India tweeted,

Agnipath will result in a fitter, more capable and inclusive armed forces. It opens up opportunity not only to serve the nation, but to a future beyond.

Pro-reform India has expressed its support strongly. Government itself has laid out the future pathways for #Agniveers.

Y. Satya Kumar, National Secretary, BJP also tweeted,

Agnipath scheme won't be rolled back

Those involved in violence will have no place in Army.

Candidates have to provide police certificate that they were not part of protest"

Loud & clear message.

Youth shouldn't ruin their future for opposition career.

#IndiaWithAgniveer

Mallikarjun Kharge,Leader of Opposition : Rajya Sabha tweeted,

For the first time in 75 years, service chiefs are being fronted to defend a policy decision by the government.

Why are the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Defence Minister quiet on the Agnipath scheme?

Anand Mahindra tweeted,

Saddened by the violence around the #Agneepath program. When the scheme was mooted last year I stated-& I repeat-the discipline & skills Agniveers gain will make them eminently employable. The Mahindra Group welcomes the opportunity to recruit such trained, capable young people

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted regarding the approval of proposal to reserve 10 per cent of jo vacancies.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has approved a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for ‘Agniveers’ meeting requisite eligibility criteria.

Prakash Javedkar tweeted, " Agneepath is a pivotal reform for India's youth".

Agnipath is a pivotal reform for India’s youth.https://t.co/R6LV8c4tql

via NaMo App #Agniveers #AgnipathScheme #Agnipath #Agneepath #Agneeveer @PMOIndia @narendramodi @BJP4India @DefenceMinIndia @AmitShah @JPNadda @rajnathsingh pic.twitter.com/cBE5mIm7ee

This letter is circulating on social media and also on fauji WhatsApp groups. It says that even those who are already in the army will be subject to the Agnipath scheme. This is FAKE.

Well tried @OfficialDGISPR

Better luck next time 👍 pic.twitter.com/fUod6oFhWW

Major Gaurav Arya also tweeted a letter, as seen above.

Many people tweeted regarding Agneepath and gave updates on the same, while some tried to clear out the misinformation spread amongst the youth. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh as well as Union Minister Amit Shah, tweeted and told the people about the updates of increase in upper age limit as well as reservation in jobs.

Bharat Bandh Impact on Common Man due to Agneepath Scheme Protest?

Over 900 people arrested in Bihar so far, 161 FIRs filed. Bharat Bandh has had an effect oncommon people. Due to heavy jams, and closed offices the common man is suffering. With trains being cancelled and burnt, many people haven't been able to travel. Though the protests are against the government’s and armed forces scheme, the major impact has beenon the common people.

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