The government launched the Agnipath Scheme on June 14 in an effort to modernise the Armed Forces' recruitment procedure. The Centre has decided to change the upper age limit for recruiting Agniveers in response to the Opposition's criticism of the new military recruitment plan. Here are the most significant developments related to Agnipath protests so far.
Agnipath row Live | Understand pain of youth, they are disappointed and desperate, says Priyanka Gandhi
Amid the ongoing protests across the country over the Agnipath scheme, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the government saying that her pleas to the Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh about the recruitment were unheard.
"I had written a letter to the Defense Minister on March 29, 2022, requesting him to pay attention to these demands of the youth and find a solution immediately. But, the government did not give any importance to the voice of the youth," she tweeted.
Agnipath row Live | Ludhiana railway station vandalised by agitators
With the protest against Agnipath Scheme becoming violent day by day, another incidence of vandalism took place in Punjab's Ludhiana, where a mob vandalised Ludhiana railway station on 18 June.
"Police immediately took action. Around 8-10 persons have been rounded up. Some people have called them & misused them. We've videos available & are identifying them," said Ludhiana' Jt CP RS Brar.
Agnipath row Live | Civil Aviation Ministry announces to induct Agniveers into its various services
Amid the nationwide protests, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on 18 June announced to induct highly skilled, disciplined and motivated Agniveers into its various services and give them wings to fly.
The Ministry, through its social media handle, wrote, "Civil Aviation is looking forward to inducting the highly skilled, disciplined and motivated #Agniveers into its various services and give them wings to fly."
Agnipath row Live | ECoR cancels several trains passing through Odisha amid protests
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled and short terminated several trains passing through Odisha due to nationwide protests against the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme.
No train will be operated at Visakhapatnam station from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday in view of the agitation, the ECoR said in a release.
The cancelled trains include the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express.
Agnipath row Live | UP Police register case against 400 unknown persons in Ballia
Police have registered cases against 400 unknown persons in connection with the protests against Centre's newly announced Agnipath scheme here, an official said on Saturday.
The Government Railway Police too has registered cases against 150 unknown persons, SHO (GRP) Raghvendra Yadav said.
Agnipath row Live | Congress pledges support to youth, urges them to be peaceful
Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been hospitalised after she contracted coronavirus infection and is being treated for fungal infection.
The Congress President pledged to stand with the youth of the nation and said they will work for the withdrawal of the ‘Agnipath Scheme’.
Agnipath row Live | Violence not solution, gather correct information: IAF chief to protesters
Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari on Saturday termed the Central government's decision to reserve vacancies for Agniveers in CAPFs and Assam Rifles as a "very positive step" and asked the protesting youth to gather 'correct information' and get their doubts about the scheme clarified instead of resorting to violence.
Agnipath row Live | Govt approves proposal for 10% reservation in Defence Ministry for 'Agniveers'
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 17 June approved a proposal to reserve 10 percent of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for 'Agniveers' after they meet requisite eligibility criteria.
Also, 10 percent reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts and all the 16 defence PSUs.
NFR cancels 10 more trains due to Agnipath protests
North-East Frontier Railways (NFR) cancelled 10 more trains on Saturday due to protests and bandh in Bihar against the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme and floods in Assam, an official said.
NFR had cancelled 11 trains due to violent protests in Bihar and eight due to floods in Assam on Friday.
Rajnath Singh meets defence chief to ensure quick rollout of Agnipath
As protests against the Agnipath military recruiting plan grew in intensity across the country, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a conference with top commanders from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to discuss the overall situation. The meeting's main goal, according to PTI, was to assure a speedy deployment of the Agnipath plan as well as strategies to appease the agitators.
Agnipath scheme: Training of first Agniveers to begin in December. Check timeline
Rajnath Singh defends Agnipath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has defended Agnipath - the new military recruitment process, claiming that it was implemented after extensive talks, including with ex-servicemen, and that a "misunderstanding" was being disseminated for political motives.
He said that the system would bring revolutionary improvements to the enlistment process for soldiers, and that the quality of training provided to those recruited under the scheme would not be compromised.
Situation getting normal again: Bihar Deputy CM
While there are numerous reports about Agnipath protests getting violent, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad has said that the situation is getting normal again.
“Vandalism and arson incidents are unfortunate. The Centre has made a good scheme for youth, it'll provide them many benefits. We appeal to the people of Bihar to maintain peace," he said.
Stop this ‘trial by fire’ of youth of India: AAP MP Raghav Chadha
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha has written to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and asked him to “roll-back the ill-thought Agnipath scheme and stop this ‘trial by fire’ of youth of our country".
There is anger among youth: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann has said that he will ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to roll back the Agnipath scheme.
“There's anger among youth. I'll also write to the prime minister, asking him to roll back this decision.Those who want to work for the country with passion should be given the chance to serve the nation and be given a pension later," he said.
MoE to launch bachelor degree programme for Agniveers
Rajnath Singh to hold meeting with service chiefs
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to hold a meeting with the service chiefs in Delhi. Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari have arrived at the Defence Minister's residence.
Vandalism in Danapur railway premises led to losses of ₹200 crore
Vandalism incidents in railway premises have led to losses of over Rs.200 crore, 50 coaches and 5 engines completely burnt and went out of service. Platforms, computers and various technical parts damaged. Some trains were cancelled, said Prabhat Kumar, DRM - Danapur Rail Division.
People involved in violence are being identified: Danapur ASP
“Heavy damage to public property occurred amid protest against Agnipath Scheme. Security forces deployed at crucial spots. Those involved in violence are being identified through video footage. 80 people have been identified so far," said Abhinav Dhiman, ASP - Danapur.
Indian Air Force chief highlights advantages of the scheme
“If you look at the entire scheme in totality, there are many advantages that need to be highlighted. 1) The domains of warfare are changing, we need younger, more tech-savvy people in the services," said Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari.
“or the IAF in particular, we will benefit from having to select the more technically qualified people for their particular job that they are going to do in future in the Air Force. Agniveers have 2-3 options. 1)They can compete and re-enroll in IAF for a service that'll grant them pension 2) In case they leave,decide to pursue higher education or set up entrepreneurship, they can set up on their own or can be assured of jobs in public,govt or pvt sector," he added.
“What they need to do now is to get hold of the correct information, understand the scheme in its entirety. They'll themselves see the advantage and benefits of the scheme. I am sure this will quell all their doubts whatever they have in their minds," he also said.
He added, “It's a very positive step. This is one assurance that the people, who are going to leave services after four-year tenure, were waiting for. I'm sure that this will be followed by many other such announcements and will definitely assuage issues that have been brought up by youth."
Home Ministry declares 10% reservation for Agniveers
The Home Ministry has decided to give 10 percent reservation to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. “The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decides to reserve 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles for Agniveers," says a tweet from the Home Ministry.
“The MHA also decides to give 3 years age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs & Assam Rifles. Further, for the first batch of Agniveer, the age relaxation will be for 5 years beyond the prescribed upper age limit," the ministry added.
Telangana to give ₹25 lakh ex gratia for kin of youth killed in Agnipath protest
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao declared a ₹25 lakh ex-gratia payment to the family of a youth who had been allegedly murdered in a Railway Police shooting while engaging in a dharna against the Central government's Agnipath army recruiting plan.
Delhi Police books people for inciting violence
During the anti-Agnipath protests, Delhi Police issued a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown people for inciting violent protests at Wazirabad Road in Northeast Delhi on Friday. "As precautionary arrangements were already in place across the district, police team immediately reached the spot and the youngsters were removed from there," said Delhi Police.
Bihar Bandh today
Students' organisations in Bihar, backed by the All India Students' Association, have planned a 24-hour bandh on June 18 to urge an immediate halt to the Agnipath scheme, which has sparked nationwide protests in the three days since the government launched a new military recruitment scheme. The RJD has backed the bandh demand, while former Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi stated his Hindustani Awam Morcha-Secular (HAM-S), a BJP partner, will also back the bandh call in the nation's and youth's interests.
Ashwini Vaishnaw appeals to agitators to not damage railway properties
Against the backdrop of continuous violent protests across the country against the recently established Agneepath Recruitment Scheme, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has appealed to everyone to refrain from engaging in any violent protests or causing damage to railway property.
Agnipath a game-changing scheme: Maj Gen Vikas Saini
Despite demonstrations against the recruiting initiative in many parts of the country, Maj Gen Vikas Saini, GOC 51 Sub Area, claimed Agnipath is a game-changing scheme that will bring employment chances to the youth of India. He said the scheme will offer the armed services a tech-savvy youthful profile, which is the need of the hour, at a press briefing on the new army recruitment strategy on Friday at Narangi Military Camp in Guwahati.
Internet services suspended in various areas
Internet services have been suspended in 12 of Bihar's 38 districts. As a precautionary move following the violent protests in Palwal, the Haryana government has blocked mobile internet and SMS services in the Ballabhgarh area of Faridabad district for 24 hours. Protests also erupted in Haryana's Hisar, Fatehabad, and Jhajjar.
Agnipath scheme: ‘Joint movement' at Jantar Mantar on June 20
On June 20, a combined movement against the Central Government's recently announced Agnipath Recruitment Scheme would be conducted at Jantar Mantar in the national capital, according to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.
"A joint movement will be organized at Jantar Mantar in Delhi at 11 am on June 20 against the Agnipath scheme," Rai said in a tweet.
Violence at Secunderabad railway station
During a demonstration against the Centre's Agnipath programme in Telangana's Secunderabad, protestors set a train on fire and damaged railway property, according to railway police. Anuradha, the Secunderabad Railway SP, stated, "Protesters ranged in number from 1500 to 3000. They also engaged in stone-pelting, which resulted in the injury of some police officers."
Agnipath scheme protests happening due to misunderstanding, says MoS Muraleedharan
V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, stated that the Central government had started the Agnipath initiative with the best of intentions, but that certain individuals are agitated owing to misunderstanding. The Union Minister told the youth that the government is aware of their issues and will make every effort to address them.
KTR asks Centre to review Agnipath scheme
KT Rama Rao, the working president of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), claimed on Friday that the Agnipath scheme is crushing the hopes of millions of young people who want to join the armed services, and requested that the Centre reassess the controversial scheme.
"The farmers weren't consulted before introducing farm laws, traders weren't consulted before bringing GST, citizens of the nation were neglected during demonetization, and the minorities were ignored when Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was proposed," KTR said.
UP: 260 held for violence during protests
In Uttar Pradesh, 260 people were arrested and six FIRs were filed in connection with violent protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme until June 17. The FIRs were filed in the districts of Firozabad, Aligarh, Varanasi, and Gautam Buddh Nagar (1), according to ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar. Police from five districts detained 260 people based on the FIRs.
Protests continue against Agnipath scheme in Rajasthan
Protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme for military recruitment continued across Rajasthan, with demonstrators conducting rallies, obstructing railway tracks, and vandalising public property. Hundreds of youths blocked the Agra-Bandikui railway track in Bharatpur. Some of them hit police officers with stones while wearing masks, prompting officers to use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Punjab CM demands immediate roll-back of Agnipath scheme
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on June 17, slammed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government's recent decision to adopt the Agnipath scheme in the Indian Army as a step backwards, urging the Union government to reverse its decision in the country's and youth's best interests.
"After agriculture (Kisaani) it is a serious attack on the youth (Jawani) which is unwarranted and undesirable. It is a huge loss for Punjabi youth who are ever ready to serve their motherland by joining the Army," Mann said.
Bengal on alert as Agnipath protests rage on
With protests in neighbouring Bihar and a few pockets of Bengal over the Centre's newly-introduced Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the defence forces, the state government on June 17 directed all district administrations to take precautionary measures to ensure that law and order is not disrupted anywhere, according to a senior official.
Section 144 for 2 months in Ballia, UP
Ballia District Magistrate Saumya Agarwal has issued section 144, which prohibits people from gathering, for the next two months. The information was released by the district administration in an official statement on Friday evening. The DM has ordered that the order be communicated to the public by police and administrative personnel.
340 trains affected, 200 cancelled across India
The Railways said on June 17 that protests over the Agnipath plan for recruitment in the defence services had impacted over 300 trains and forced the cancellation of over 200. Due to the protests, 94 mail and express trains and 140 passenger trains were cancelled, while 65 mail and express trains and 30 passenger trains were partially cancelled, according to the report. All trains travelling from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh will be short-terminated due to massive protests and arson over the Agnipath programme.
Train coach torched, buses vandalised in UP
On June 17, young men vandalised trains, wrecked buses, and set fire to a police outpost in Uttar Pradesh as part of a protest against the Centre's Agnipath scheme. Protests were held at 17 locations across the state, including Ballia, Aligarh, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Varanasi, according to officials. Protesters set fire to a train coach in Ballia, where police used tear gas to disperse them and arrested 100 individuals.
Why are Agnipath scheme protests going on?
Only up to 25% of the recruits, known as Agniveers, would be given permanent commissions in the service under the Agnipath system, while the rest would be out of work. This is one of the key reasons why the protests are going on.
Individuals have expressed concerns about the future of their services. Many of these workers favour employment security over competitive pay, which includes retirement benefits and pensions. The majority of them will be compelled to leave their jobs within four years, which does not align with their goals.
(With agency inputs)
