“Our Youth Cannot Be Allowed To Suffer”: Mallikarjun Kharge Writes To President On Agnipath Scheme (image-instagram/mallikarjunkhargeinc)
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu expressing his concern highlighting the “gross injustice” done to the youth of the country by implementing Agnipath scheme.
Kharge in his letter urged to ensure for the recruits immediately. The future of nearly 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain due to the decision taken by the Centre. The enrolment in the Agnipath scheme began in 2022 despite protests across the country.
My letter to the Hon’ble President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) highlighting the gross injustice to almost two lakh young men and women whose future has become uncertain due to ending of regular recruitment process and imposing Agnipath Scheme for the Armed Forces by the Union… pic.twitter.com/nZceaXpKs0
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) February 26, 2024
Agnipath is a new scheme brought by the PM Modi government which is designed to bring more people into the armed forces on four-year contacts to lower the average age of the military.
Kharge in his letter highlighted the gross injustice to almost 2 lakh young men and women whose futures have become uncertain due to the ending of the regular recruitment process and imposing the Agnipath Scheme for the Armed Forces by the Union government.
“Recently I met them and they told me that between 2019 and 2022, almost two lakh young men and women were informed that they had been accepted into the three armed services: the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force,” he wrote. Kharge then added that these young men and women have struggled against all odds to qualify passing gruelling mental and physical tests and a written exam.
“Until 31 May 2022 they believed that they had fulfilled their dreams and were awaiting only their joining letters. On that day, their dreams were shattered by the Government of India”s decision to end this recruitment process and replace it with the Agnipath Scheme,” he wrote.
The Congress leader highlighted several issues of the scheme, citing former chief of army staff general MM Naravane’s surprise at its implementation for the Army, Navy and Air force.
Kharge further labeled the scheme to be discriminatory as the soldiers who joined expecting to work on similar tasks are given very different emoluments, benefits and prospects. “Furthermore, 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. The majority of Agniveers will be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service, which some have argued could affect social stability,” he wrote.
Highlighting the uncertainty in the process which has resulted in many youths ending their lives due to frustrations, Kharge wrote, “Not only did they spend years in pursuit of this dream, but the 250 each of 50 lakh applicants had to pay to collect and application form was never refunded, which amounts to a hefty 125 crore taken from these youngsters. The resulting frustration and hopelessness has even led to several reported deaths by suicide.”
The Congress chief concluded his letter urging the President to ensure justice and Nyay to the youth,” Our youth cannot be allowed to suffer in this manner. I appeal to you to ensure that NYAY and justice is done.”
