New Delhi, June 19 (FN Representative) Congress leader and MPs on Sunday sat on “Satyagraha” at Jantar Mantar and demanded the “rollback” of Agnipath, a recruitment scheme in Armed forces and alleged that it will compromise national security. The congress party called Satyagraha in solidarity with the youths who are protesting against the Agnipath scheme in several parts of the country. All the party leaders in one voice condemned the scheme and said it is not beneficial for the country’s youth, even though it will put their career at risk and said only the Modi-government is responsible for the current situation in the country. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra , Ram Ramesh, Rajiv Shukla, Sachin Pilot, Salman Khurshid and Depeender singh Hooda, Varun Gogoi, Vikek Thakha, Harish Rawat, and other senior leader took part in the ‘Satyagraha’. Slamming the Modi-led government over the scheme, Priyanka Gandhi said the scheme was announced without proper consultation and today we are seeing the result of this on the streets of the country.
Appealing to the protesting youth not to resort to violence ,she said , “I appeal to students not to resort to violence as this will not bring solution to the problem. I assure the youth that each Congress leader stands with you and will continue to fight with you until the government rolls back the Agnipath scheme.” “This government is not working for the women and poor citizens but for the big corporates. All schemes imposed on people are well-thought plans by the Modi-led government”, she added that the government is doing only to remain in the power”. Urging the youth to recognise “fake nationalists” she said this scheme will destroy the career of the students who are seeking to join the Indian army. Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces was seen at the protest site. The entry and exit points to Jantar Mantar were blocked. Congress MP Vivek Tanjha said the government took this decision without proper consultations with all the stakeholders. “Congress party is requesting him to rollback the scheme otherwise it will meet the same fate as three farm laws announced by the government without taking farmers into confidence”. Echoing the same sentiment, Congress leader Sachin Pilot slammed the government and said it is a disaster for the country if the scheme is implemented in the country.
“This government is playing with the future of youth and put their life at risk with these kinds of policies” he said. He alleged that the government is doing this only to reduce the pension bill. “If the government’s decision was to reduce the pension bill then the Modi government must find out in different ways but by putting the career of the youth at risk is unfortunate” he added. He said that no proper thought was given before bringing the scheme. ” young people will lose the opportunity to serve this country as patriots and soldiers. The issue has become more grave because there is acute joblessness, unemployment is at a record high” he added. Comparing the scheme’s fate with the demonetization, Deepender Singh Hooda said the government should immediately roll back the decision. “The present government is responsible for the current situation in the country, Today’s protest is spontaneous and it is the reaction of the wrong policies of this government,’ Hooda said. Taking a jig at Modi, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh said, “The Modi model of governance is to promote “contractual culture” in the country. He alleged that this government is not sensitive towards the future of the young generation.
“The youth should have been taken into confidence. Dialogue should have happened with the youth,” said Salman Khurshid while adding the event. He also appealed to the students to not indulge in the violence. The Centre government last week unveiled the “Agnipath” scheme which is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. It is a transformative initiative that will provide a youthful profile to the armed forces. Under this scheme, young persons will be provided an opportunity to serve in the armed forces as “Agniveer”. It provides an opportunity for youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces for a period of 4 years including a training period. Agniveers shall be recruited between the ages of 17.5 to 23 years. The age limit has been increased after due consultations between Army and government to 23 years. Earlier , it was 21 years. Candidates who are 10th or 12th pass can apply for the recruitment process.