Political parties appeal PM to scrap 'Agnipath'.
New Delhi, Jun 17, 2022, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi, Jun 17: Amid protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to listen to the voice of unemployed youths and not take 'agnipareeksha' (trial by fire) of their patience by making them walk on 'Agnipath'.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra too hit out at the government over the scheme and urged the prime minister not to "crush the dreams of the youth".
Protests against the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme for hiring jawans on a short-term contractual basis were reported from various parts of the country on Thursday.
"No rank, no pension, no direct recruitment for 2 years, no stable future after four years, no respect shown by the government for the army," Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, attacking the Centre over the scheme.
"Listen to the voice of unemployed youths of the country, don't take 'agnipareeksha' of their patience by making them walk on 'Agnipath', Mr. prime minister," the former Congress chief said.
In a separate tweet, Priyanka Gandhi said there are many dreams for the future in the eyes of those preparing for recruitment in the armed forces such as serving the country and their parents.
"What will the new army recruitment scheme give them? After 4 years, no job guarantee, no pension facility = no rank, no pension. @narendramodiji don't crush the dreams of the youth," she said.
In an embarrassment to the government, even BJP MP Varun Gandhi questioned various provisions of the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme and said it will give rise to more disaffection among the youths.
Gandhi asked what will be the prospects for these retired soldiers when the corporate sector does not show much interest in hiring even the regular military personnel who retire after 15 years.
Samajwadi Party president AkhileshYadav hit out at the central government over the Agnipath scheme, calling the move negligent and potentially fatal for the country's future.
BSP chief Mayawati said even though it has been called an attractive scheme, the youths of the country are dissatisfied and angry. They are openly opposing the change in army recruitment system, she said in a tweet in Hindi.
The Left parties, meanwhile, demanded that the Agnipath scheme be scrapped and be taken up in Parliament for discussion, alleging that it does a "disservice" to India's national interests.
Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal came out in support of defence job aspirants protesting against the Agnipath scheme and appealed to the central government to give them the chance to serve the country throughout their life, not just four years.
A number of military experts have also slammed the scheme saying it will adversely impact the functioning of the armed forces.