'India Will Have Army Of Eunuchs': Bihar Minister Surendra Yadav Slams Modi Govt On Agnipath Scheme

Surendra Prasad Yadav said that the nation's name will be included in the "army of eunuchs" eight years from now.

Bihar Cooperative Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Surendra Prasad Yadav

Source : ANI

New Delhi: Bihar Cooperative Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Surendra Prasad Yadav said on Thursday that the nation's name will be included in the "army of eunuchs" in eight years from now, in vehement criticism of the Centre's Agnipath scheme.

Yadav was quoted by news agency ANI as saying, "exactly after eight-and-a-half years from now, the country will have an army of eunuchs. All the old people who are currently serving in the Army will retire. The youths who are being recruited as Agniveers for a period of four-and-a-half years, their training will not be complete. They will retire after four-and-a-half years of serving the Army and no family would marry their daughters to these unemployed youths."

Katihar | "Exactly 8.5 yrs from now, country's name will be included among 'Hijdon ki fauj.' After 8.5 yrs, current Army men will retire & training of these Agniveers won't be complete...Whoever gave this idea should be hanged," says Surendra Yadav, Bihar's Co-operative Minister. pic.twitter.com/0vCizm0sbd

— ANI (@ANI) February 23, 2023

"I want to know from the Prime Minister what steps will be taken for these youths, who will be recruited as Agniveers, once they complete their four-year term in the armed forces," he said.

"We have such an excellent Army... There is no such nation that wants to fight with our Army. We have such a strong Army. What kind of an army force will be formed in four-and-a-half years?," asked Yadav.

"The Agniveer scheme is absolutely trash. Whoever has introduced this policy should be hanged," said the cooperative minister.

Sunil Singh of Janata Dal United criticized Yadav's statement and stated that the party respected the Indian Army in an interview with Times Now.

The Agnipath program was launched the previous year. Under this program, between 45,000 and 50,000 soldiers will be recruited annually, and the majority of them will leave the military within four years. Only 25% of the annual recruits will be eligible for permanent commission for an additional 15 years. The country's over 13 lakh armed forces will be significantly reduced as a result of the move.

When the scheme was first announced in June 2022, the Center stated that the recruits would be known as Agniveers.