Youth Congress workers stop a train in Delhi, causing an Agnipath stir
Despite the government’s assurances, the uproar over the Army recruitment strategy continues. Army aspirants called for a Bharat Bandh on Monday to ratchet up the agitation.
Live Updates on the Agnipath Scheme Protests: On Monday, protests against the government’s ‘Agnipath’ army recruitment scheme resumed. In response to the armed forces aspirants’ call for a “Bharat Bandh,” the state government reinforced security.
After the Union government launched the contentious Agnipath initiative to recruit adolescents to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces, massive protests erupted last week. Army candidates have been protesting in 11 states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Assam, over some of the conditions.
Demonstrations in some states turned violent, escalating the conflict. Protesters set fire to trains, vandalised public and police vehicles, and injured security officers. They want the scheme to be scrapped, something the government refuses to do.
The Centre has also defended the initiative, explaining that recruits, known as ‘Agniveers,’ who leave after four years will receive financial assistance. The administration has also lowered the top age limit from 21 to 23 in response to demonstrators’ concerns.
