Agnipath Scheme 'Compromised' National Security, 'Severely Disrupted' Armed Forces' Recruitment: Congress

The Congress party contended the Agnipath scheme is 'harmful' in every way and is an 'anyay' (injustice) to the youth and troops.

File photo of Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh

Source : PTI

The Congress launched a scathing attack on the Modi government regarding the Agnipath scheme on Sunday, alleging that it has 'compromised' national security and 'severely disrupted' the armed forces' recruitment procedures in India. The Congress' criticism followed party leader Rahul Gandhi's engagement with ex-servicemen, potential Agniveer recruits, and young individuals whose regular induction into the armed forces has been impeded by the implementation of Agnipath during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Madhya Pradesh.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh wrote in a post on his X that Gandhi had a 40-minute dialogue with the three communities on the morning of the 50th day of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. "The Agnipath scheme has compromised national security and severely disrupted the armed forces' recruitment processes in India," he asserted.

आज भारत जोड़ो न्याय यात्रा के 50वें दिन @RahulGandhi ने तीन समूहों के साथ 40 मिनट तक बातचीत की। इनमें पूर्व सैनिक, भावी अग्निवीर और वे युवा शामिल थे जिनकी सशस्त्र बलों में नियमित भर्ती की प्रक्रिया पूरी हो चुकी थी लेकिन अग्निपथ योजना आने के कारण सेना में नहीं जा सके।

अग्निपथ…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 3, 2024

Agnipath Scheme Is Anyay To Servicemen And Youth: Congress

Ramesh stated that ex-servicemen expressed concern that this scheme compromises national security by demoralising the armed forces and rushing through training for our servicemen in just six months. "Potential Agniveer recruits are dissatisfied by the loss of prestige and economic security due to the scheme," he added. "Finally, there are about 1.5 lakh youths who have completed all formalities for regular recruitment to the armed forces who have not been recruited because of the arbitrary introduction of the Agnipath scheme," Ramesh remarked.

The Congress leader argued that as currently structured, the Agnipath scheme is detrimental in all aspects and constitutes an "anyay" (injustice) to the servicemen and youth.

"The ex-servicemen and Agniveer recruits have been protesting against the Modi government's policies for several months, having held several demonstrations at the Jantar Mantar in Delhi and taken out a padayatra from Champaran in Bihar to New Delhi," Ramesh mentioned. "The Agnipath scheme was pushed through without any discussion and consultation as revealed by the former Chief of Army Staff himself in his memoir," he added.

Ramesh further stated that Gandhi pledged to undertake a comprehensive review and appropriate amendments to the Agnipath scheme.

The Agnipath scheme entails the recruitment of youths aged between 17-and-a-half years and 21 years for four years, with a provision to retain 25 percent of them for an additional 15 years.