Congress Demands Withdrawal Of Agnipath Scheme, Promises Old Recruitment Process; Kharge Says "Gross Injustice To Almost 2 Lakh" Youth

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu highlighting "the gross injustice to almost two lakh young men and women" through the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces.

The Economic Times reported that the Congress also promised to revert to the old recruitment scheme if it is voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. A press conference was also held by the party on the issue.

Agnipath scheme was rolled out in June 2022 which recruits youths of age between 17.5 years and 20 years for a period of four years into the armed forces. Of them, only 25 per cent are retained to serve another 15 years.

Kharge alleged that almost two lakh young men and women were informed about their selection into the armed forces between 2019 and 2022 and were awaiting joining letters but their "dreams were shattered" due to Agnipath scheme.

He also said that the scheme is discriminatory among our jawans by creating parallel cadres of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks, but with very different emoluments, benefits and prospects.

Congress leader Deepender Hooda demanded the withdrawal of the Agneepath and the resumption of permanent recruitment. He also asked that lakhs of youth selected by the army should be given joining.

Another Congress leader Sachin Pilot said that the government is playing with the recruitment process of the army just to save money, which can become a challenge to the security of the country.