Youths protest, demand priority to those selected in defence forces before Agnipath scheme

NEW DELHI: A four-day protest under the banner of AICC ex-servicemen department demanding recruitment of those selected in the defence forces prior to the Agnipath scheme's introduction began at the Jantar Mantar here on Thursday. On the first day, the protest was attended by more than 300 youths, the organisers said. Colonel (Retd.) Rohit Chaudhry, ex-servicemen department of the AICC, said about 1.5 lakh youths, who "had been selected for recruitment in the defence forces prior to the introduction of the Agnipath scheme", are "awaiting their joining so far".

"To join the services, they had completed all formalities and qualified for the final selection. We had been requesting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow these youths to join the forces. But nothing has happened on the ground," he added. Lashing out at the Centre, Chaudhry alleged the government is playing with the emotions of these youths, who are waiting for their joining from the last three or four years. "More than 60 lakh youths had appeared for their physical examinations and more than 1.5 lakh youths were selected for the recruitment purpose from all over the country. But they were not called for the written examination," he said.

Chaudhry alleged that a delegation of these youths had earlier met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who had promised that the written examination would be conducted soon, but nothing has happened since then and proves that his promises are just like "jumla". He said that these youths are feeling duped, thus a foot march ('paidal march') from Bihar's Champaran to Delhi was started on October 24 last year. "We got permission to hold four days protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Many youths were expected to reach Delhi for the protest, but they were stopped due to the Budget Session.

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All these youths will stay here at the Jantar Mantar only for the purpose. We are not creating any law and order situation. These youths are demanding their rights only," Chaudhry said. He said the country needs a permanent army instead of the "contractual army" for four years under the Agnipath scheme. "The western border is around 1,400 kilometres, we share 3,800 kilometres border with China and 6,500 kilometres of coastline with other countries. We need a permanent force to defend our borders," Chaudhry said.

He said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had during his 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' understood the pain of these 1.5 lakh youths, who are waiting for their joining, and met them personally. Chaudhry further said that Gandhi, who even had words with these youths in Delhi, assured them that this scheme would be cancelled if his party comes to power in 2024. Another protester said that they had already held a protest at the Jantar Mantar here on January 11 and 12.