People block Jalandhar-Delhi National Highway to protest against Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme, in Jalandhar, Saturday. (PTI)Agnipath protests, Bharat Bandh Highlights: The three service chiefs separately met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and briefed him about their plan to implement the Agnipath scheme and related issues against the backdrop of the ongoing protests against the new policy for military recruitment.
At a tri-service press conference on Tuesday, Lt General Anil Puri said that the Agnipath is a well-thought off, and well-research scheme that has been implemented keeping in mind India’s unique demographic. Puri said that the reforms now seen in the scheme should have been implemented in the 1990s itself. Puri also assured that there will be no change in the recruitment process of any of the forces.
In other news, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the Agnipath scheme, which has triggered countrywide protests, said the Agnipath scheme is not a stand-alone scheme in itself. “Agnipath isn’t a stand-alone scheme in itself. There’s a need to look at it with a perspective. When PM Modi came to power in 2014, one of his prime priorities was how to make India secure and strong. That required many avenues, many steps – multitude of them,” he said in an interview with ANI. Doval went on to say, ‘Security is a dynamic concept. It cannot remain static, it is only in relation with the environment in which we have to protect our national interest and national assets.’
Security personnel outside Patna railway station after several trains were cancelled due to protests against Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme, in Patna, Sunday, June 19, 2022. (PTI)
The three service chiefs separately met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and briefed him about their plan to implement the Agnipath scheme and related issues against the backdrop of the ongoing protests against the new policy for military recruitment.
The scheme announced on June 14 seeks to recruit youngsters in the age bracket of 17-and-a-half to 21 years for a four-year period, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. For 2022, the upper-age limit has been extended to 23 years.
It is learnt that Army chief General Manoj Pande, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar apprised Modi of the overall induction process and the steps being taken by them for a successful rollout of the scheme.
The administration here is in the process of identifying those involved in the violent protests over the Agnipath military recruitment scheme and will recover from them the loss caused by damage to public property, an official said on Tuesday. District Magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma said 36 buses were damaged and a loss of Rs 12.97 lakh was incurred in the protests on June 17.
He said 27 people have so far been held in this connection, adding that more people have been identified for their alleged role in the stir. "The authorities will recover from them the loss caused by damage to public property during the protest," the official said.
A day after several industrial leaders backed the Centre's Agnipath scheme, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday asked them to first employ retired defence personnel to win the confidence of the youth protesting the government's initiative. The leader of the opposition in the UP Assembly said they will be send the supporters of the scheme a list of retired soldiers for employment.
As the violent protests over the Agnipath scheme subside, allies JD(U) and BJP are circling around each other as they weigh the way forward. While the protests and open attacks have further strained ties between the two, neither looks ready to snap the same just yet. In fact, a message has gone out from the BJP high command to state unit leaders to hold their peace even under provocation from the other side.
In the aftermath of the protests, which also saw attacks on houses of BJP leaders, the BJP accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of deliberately letting the violence spread, so as to add to the pressure on the Centre over the scheme. Bihar leaders even “warned” Nitish Kumar of Central forces taking over law and order if the situation was not controlled. A party leader said: “In the 38 districts where the agitation happened, not a single lathicharge was seen. Obviously, the CM supported the agitation. It was a free-for-all. The party made it clear that we will not tolerate it.” (Read more here)
Lt General Anil Puri at a tri-service press conference Tuesday gave assurance that there is, and will be no change in the recruitment process of all the three defence forces.
Lt General Anil Puri in a press conference on Tuesday said that these reforms, that are now seen in the Agnipath scheme should have been implemented in the 1990s itself.
Lt General Anil Puri in a press conference on Tuesday said that the Agnipath scheme was well thought and well reserached scheme that has been made keeping in mind India's unique demographic.
Amid backlash and protests against the Agnipath scheme, a tri-service press conference, headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs is underway.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said Agniveers, who will be recruited through the Agnipath scheme, will never constitute the whole army.
"Those Agniveers who become regulars eventually will undergo intensive training, acquire experience over a period of time," Doval said.
"As far as regiments are concerned, two things need to be understood. Nobody is tinkering with the concept of regiments...They (regiments) will continue...The regimental system has not ended," he said.
When asked about alleged involvement of some coaching centers in violence over Agnipath scheme, Doval said, "The FIRs lodged, accused identified, after due probe we can say who were the forces behind it. An investigation must be done and thoroughly so."
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval said the Agnipath scheme, which has triggered countrywide protests, said the Agnipath scheme is not a stand-alone scheme in itself.
"Agnipath isn't a stand-alone scheme in itself. There's a need to look at it with a perspective. When PM Modi came to power in 2014, one of his prime priorities was how to make India secure and strong. That required many avenues, many steps - multitude of them," he said in an interview with ANI.
Doval went on to say, 'Security is a dynamic concept. It cannot remain static, it is only in relation with the environment in which we have to protect our national interest and national assets.'
Reliance Industries (RIL) extended support to the Agnipath scheme announced for recruitment into Army, Navy and Air Force. The company said in a tweet that the scheme is a “path breaking initiative for the youth to get valuable opportunity to serve the nation while imbibing skills, discipline and more.”
Uttar Pradesh Police on Monday said the state government will recover damages for the destruction caused to public and private properties by the protesters during the violent protest against the Centre’s new military recruitment scheme – Agnipath.
During the protests in 14 districts since Friday after the Centre unveiled the new recruitment scheme, youth protesters damaged trains, buses and vehicles and set them on fire at several places. Several private and government properties were also damaged in stone-pelting, police said. Police have so far registered 49 FIRs, and arrested 525 people, with 145 booked for breach of peace. Read more
The Centre has filed a caveat in the Supreme Court and urged that it be heard before the court passes any order on petitions against the Agnipath scheme.
A fresh petition was filed in the apex court on Monday, seeking a direction to the Centre for reconsideration of the Agnipath scheme. The plea, filed by Harsh Ajay Singh who is an advocate, has sought a direction for the constitution of a committee for providing inputs to the Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and also to invite suggestions, including from retired Army officers, for amendments to the scheme for providing job opportunities to 75 per cent Agniveers, post retirement. (PTI)
Bettiah Police arrested 30 miscreants and is tracing those who are absconding in relation to vandalism at the residences of Deputy CM Renu Devi and BJP state chief Sanjay Jaiswal amid protests against the Agnipath scheme on June 17. (ANI)
Registration for Agnipath Recruitment Scheme will begin on 24 June and end on 5 July, a release by the Indian Air Force said. More details on careerindianairforce.cdac.in
Even as protests continue over the Agnipath scheme, BJP leader Hardik Patel and Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Culture Arjun Meghwal came out in support of the scheme on Monday.
In an appeal to the Patidar community, Hardik issued a statement, promising that he will aid 10 Agniveers from the first batch at a personal level, to ensure their employment or any assistance that may be required for entrepreneurship.
“The Patidar community has always been a leader in the nation’s service. The Agnipath scheme announced by the Government of India for direct recruitment to army is exciting for the youth and instils patriotism…,” the statement said. Read more
The Supreme Court on Tuesday said the plea for an SIT probe into the damage to public properties during the protests against 'Agnipath' will be listed for hearing after the Chief Justice of India takes a decision in this regard.
Advocate Vishal Tiwari urged a vacation bench of Justices C T Ravikumar and Sudhanshu Dhulia to list the plea for an urgent hearing.
Referring to the practice of listing cases during vacation, the bench said, "This matter will be placed before the CJI. The CJI will take a call." The Public Interest Litigation also sought directions to the Centre, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Haryana and Rajasthan governments to submit a status report on the violent protests. (PTI)
A tri-service press conference, headed by the Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, will be held at 3 pm on Tuesday, ANI reported.
The update comes after PTI reported that the three service chiefs are likely to call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi separately on Tuesday to brief him about the Agnipath scheme as well as their plan for its implementation.
The Southern Railway barred the sale of platform tickets in Chennai until further notice amid nationwide protests against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment to the armed forces.
Unlike the protests in neighbouring states, Tamil Nadu did not witness any massive agitation against the new soldier recruitment scheme apart from a few gatherings near the war memorial a couple of days ago. The move by the railways is seen more as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.
“In view of the proposed Bharat Bandh and to safeguard the safety and security of passengers, the issue of platform tickets is restricted at all railway stations in Chennai division of Southern Railway, until further orders,” a release from the Chennai division said Monday. The Southern Railway further also requested passengers and the general public to co-operate with them in protecting railway property.
Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) has declared its support to the nationwide protest of youth against the new Agnipath scheme of recruitment in the armed forces.
Appealing to keep the protests peaceful, the SKM has termed the scheme as “anti-military, anti-farmer and anti-national”.
In a statement Monday, the SKM said: “When the central government is bent upon destroying the spirit of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, it is the duty of the farmers’ movement to stand shoulder to shoulder with the jawans in this struggle. Accordingly, SKM will observe protest day across the country on June 24.” Read more
A press conference was held on Monday with retired Armymen and police personnel to “clarify various doubts” regarding the Agnipath scheme.
In attendance were ADCP (Gautam Budh Nagar) Ranvijay Singh and retired veterans Colonel R K Bhushan, Colonel S K Bohra, Colonel Shailendra Singh, Colonel I P Singh, and Colonel S K Shrivastava. They also condemned the violent protests in several states by those dissatisfied by the scheme.
ADCP Singh said, “The Agnipath scheme is a beginning to an aspirant’s life, which gives him the opportunity to serve the nation. Even a single day’s service is a gift, and the scheme provides four years.” Read more
Lieutenant General B S Raju, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, said Monday that the Agnipath recruitment scheme has been “well thought out”, and if any tweaks are required, they will be carried out at the end of four or five years.
In an interview to The Indian Express on the day the Army issued a notification for compulsory online registration of all Agnipath job aspirants, Lt Gen Raju said the scheme, as being rolled out now, is a “pilot project”. He said Agnipath marks a “fundamental change” in recruitment into the armed forces and there is “a need” for all to “absorb the change”.
The VCOAS’s remarks come in the wake of violent protests against the Agnipath scheme in different parts of the country. Read more
Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the ‘Agnipath' scheme “pro youth” saying that opposing it was not in the interest of the youngsters of the country.
Pradhan said that after serving in the army for four years, these youths would be accommodated in other forces and organisations. The minister who holds education and skill development portfolios exhorted the party cadre to remain vigilant against the “evil designs” of the opposition parties, which, he said, were bent on exploiting the youngsters against the ruling party. (PTI)
Amid nationwide protests over the Centre’s Agnipath scheme, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Tuesday announced that the state government would give “guaranteed employment” to Agniveers once they are relieved from the defence forces after four years.
In a tweet, he wrote, “I make this announcement that under the Agnipath scheme, those Agniveers who shall come back after serving the nation for four years, those people shall be given employment in Haryana government.”
More than 600 trains were cancelled with operations again disrupted by protests. Of the 612 trains affected, 602 trains were cancelled, including 223 mail and express trains and 379 passengers trains, the Railways said in a statement.
Heavy deployment of police personnel remained in place throughout the day across Bihar in view of the 'Bharat bandh' against Agnipath, although the shutdown call received a tepid response in the state. According to Additional Director General of Police, Headquarters, J S Gangwar, "detailed and elaborate security arrangements" were in place at all vital installations, including railway stations, and "no untoward incident took place during the Bharat bandh".
Farmers' collective Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which had spearheaded the agitation against the Centre's now-scrapped agri laws, on Monday dubbed Agnipath as another ploy to harm peasants and announced a nationwide protest on June 24 against the Centre's new military recruitment scheme.
The farmer's body also attacked the BJP-led government, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi had started his victory campaign by rallying support on the promise of 'One Rank One Pension' but has 'now rolled out "the new 'No Rank No Pension' scheme".
In a statement, the SKM declared its support for the ongoing protests and appealed to the youths to hold peaceful demonstrations against the Agnipath scheme, which it decried as “anti-military, anti-farmer and anti-national”.
“When the central government is bent upon destroying the spirit of the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan', it is the duty of the farmers' movement to stand shoulder to shoulder with the jawans in this struggle,” the Morcha said.
“Accordingly, the Samyukta Kisan Morcha will observe protest day across the country on this Friday, June 24. This decision was taken by the seven-member coordination committee of SKM in its meeting held in Karnal (Haryana) today,” according to the statement.
The protest will be held at all district and tehsil headquarters and a memorandum addressed to President Ramnath Kovind will be handed over on Friday, the SKM said. --PTI
The BJP’s announcement that the party-led Centre’s Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment of soldiers in armed forces will not be rolled back despite widespread youth protests has a parallel, whose echo might still be ringing in the corridors of power.
In December 2020, when a long winter of discontent was just beginning to set in over Delhi’s borders with thousands of farmers from Punjab and Haryana reaching there in protest against the three contentious farm laws passed by Parliament in September 2020, the BJP dispensation had categorically ruled out any possibility of repealing these laws.
Eleven months later, in November 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the withdrawal of the farm laws, describing it as a decision taken in the “interest of the nation”. Read more
Amid firestorm over the "Agnipath" scheme, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Monday said the country's youths should not fall for "misinformation campaign" regarding the new recruitment process announced for the armed forces. Calling it an "important scheme" for the country and for those interested in working for the defence forces, Meghwal said some youths are opposing the plan unveiled last week due to misinformation, and advised them not to fall for it. "Agnipath is an important scheme. It offers opportunities to those who want to join the armed forces," the Union Minister of State for Culture told reporters here. --PTI
Amid protests over the Centre's new Agnipath scheme, Prime Minister Modi says several decisions may look unfair at first, but will help in building the nation later.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday attacked the Centre over the 'Agnipath' scheme and said that for the first time in 75 years, service chiefs are being fronted to defend a policy decision taken by the government. With the government standing its ground on the contentious 'Agnipath' scheme for short-term recruitment in the armed forces, the three services on Sunday came out with a broad schedule of enrolment under the new policy and warned that those who indulged in violence and arson will not be inducted. --PTI
Congress leader and former finance minister P Chidambaram on Monday took a dig at Agnipath scheme and tweeted: "If you wish to be trained as a driver, washerman or barber, become an Agniveer If you wish to be trained as a chowkidar, become an Agniveer If you wish to learn to fry pakoras, become an Agniveer If you wish to become a soldier, do not apply,"
The Army on Monday issued a notification for induction of soldiers under the Agnipath military recruitment scheme.
The Army said the online registration on the force's recruitment website is mandatory for all the job aspirants under the new model. It said the online registration will commence from July.
The Army said 'Agniveers' would form a distinct rank in the Indian Army, which would be different from any other existing ranks. (PTI)
In wake of the protests against the Agnipath scheme, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Our youth, young people in our homes are being misguided and being taken in the wrong direction."
"We are fortunate that the armed forces have always worked as a shield of the society, they have worked as a shield of the country," he was quoted as saying by ANI.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the BJP-led central government over the ‘Agnipath' scheme, alleging that the saffron camp was trying to create its own "armed” cadre base through the new defence recruitment programme.
Terming the scheme as an insult to the armed forces, Banerjee also wondered whether the BJP plans to hire ‘Agniveer' soldiers as "watchmen" at its party offices, after their four-year service period. "The BJP is trying to create its own armed cadre base through this scheme. What will they do after four years? The party wants to give arms into the hands of the youth," the TMC chief said in the assembly.
Banerjee also said the BJP is trying to fool the masses ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls by announcing such schemes. "They had promised two crore jobs every year. But, now they are only fooling the people of the country in the name of these schemes,” she added.
The BJP legislative party staged a walkout from the assembly protesting against Banerjee's remarks. (PTI)
Protesters Monday raised slogans against the Agnipath scheme while stopping a train at Delhi's Shivaji Bridge railway station. According to news agency ANI, the protesters included Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers, who were also protesting against the ED probe into Rahul Gandhi.
Senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot staged a satyagraha at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi to protest against the Centre's Agnipath scheme and the ED's probe against Rahul Gandhi.
Haryana Congress leaders and workers who were on their way to Jantar Mantar to hold a satyagraha against the Agnipath scheme and the summoning of Rahul Gandhi by the ED were detained at the Delhi border, Congress MP Deepender Hooda tweeted on Monday.
Nearly 530 trains were cancelled Monday in the wake of the Agnipath protests. The included 348 passenger trains and 181 Mail/Express trains, the Railways Ministry said. As many as four Mail/Express trains and six passenger trains were partially cancelled.
Agitators blocked a road in Haryana's Fatehabad while protesting against the Agnipath scheme.
In wake of the Bharat Bandh on Monday, the issuance of platform tickets has been restricted across railway stations in the Chennai division of Southern Railway, a press release stated.
In view of the Bharat Bandh called on Monday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment to the armed forces, the Delhi Police made special traffic arrangements in and around the city in anticipation of heavy traffic jams.
Officers advised commuters to take alternate routes owing to the heavy traffic on the Delhi-Noida stretch, NH-48 and NH-8. The traffic police posted a tweet saying: “Kindly avoid Motilal Nehru Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath and Man Singh Road between 0800 hrs – 1200 hrs. Due to special arrangements traffic movement will not be possible on these roads”.
The police added that there will be heavy traffic till 1-2 pm and buses will not be allowed near the New Delhi area. Traffic near Janpath and other roads is being diverted via alternate routes. Read more
In the wake of the calls for Bharat Bandh on Monday, security forces were deployed at the railway station and the Jagraon Bridge Chowk in Ludhiana.
Express Photos by Gurmeet Singh
With the Uttar Pradesh police conducting security checks at the border, heavy traffic has been reported on the Delhi-Noida link road at the Chilla border.
Security was ramped up with additional forces and barbed wires at the Vijaywada railway station on Monday amid calls for Bharat Bandh. Forces have been deployed at key locations across the Vijaywada city in Andhra Pradesh, ANI reported.
With police forces on alert amid calls for Bharat Bandh, a major traffic snarl was reported at the Sarhaul border on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway.
Passengers were left stranded at the Gorakhpur Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh after trains were cancelled amid calls for a Bharat Bandh on Monday.
In Bihar and West Bengal, police have been deployed at key locations such as the Dak Bungalow Chauraha in Patna and the Howrah Station to prevent any untoward incidents.
As protests rage across the country against the Centre’s new military recruitment scheme ‘Agnipath’, industrialist Anand Mahindra said Monday that he is saddened by the violence, underscoring that the discipline and skills of Agniveers would make them “eminently employable”.
“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 (SIC),” Mahindra tweeted. Read more
Congress leader Ajay Maken Monday stated that they will be meeting the President of India at 5 pm today to demand the rollback of the Agnipath scheme. The party will also be holding a satyagraha at Delhi's Jantar Mantar today.
"The scheme should first be discussed with the youth and in Parliament, but before that, it should be withdrawn," Maken was quoted as saying by ANI.
From a 21-year-old in Banka, Bihar, who hopes to be the first in his family to get a job to a 19-year-old from Jammu’s Reasi town who seeks to follow his brother into the armed forces, The Indian Express talks to young defence aspirants from some of the states that bore the brunt of the protests against the Agnipath scheme.
Roshan Singh, 21: “This scheme is unfair. I have now been preparing for this job for four years. I am working hard to get employed without any pension and medical benefits and no assurance of another job. How would a politician react if there is a law to allow him to become an MP or MLA just for one term? An Army job is about intense passion and Agnipath scheme is playing with our emotions.”
Read what other aspirants have to say here
The military leadership Sunday ruled out the rollback of the Agnipath scheme, even as thousands of aspirants continue to protest across the country, and many Opposition parties also lent their support to the protesters, asking the government to rethink or rollback the new policy.
Lt Gen Anil Puri, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs (DMA), at a press conference, warned those aspirants who want to join the services under the scheme, stating that those who are participating in the protests and indulging in arson or vandalism will not be recruited. "Every individual, who wants to join Agniveer, will have to pledge that he has not participated in the protest, or vandalism," Puri said.
“I request the protesters, don’t waste time. Qualifying the physical (tests) is not easy,” Puri said. He mentioned that they have around 45 days to 60 days before the process commences, giving aspirants time to be “physically prepared.” Read more
A call for a Bharat Bandh on Monday has been given by various organisations across several states. Security has been ramped up across the country.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates!