Agnipath scheme attack on youth: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Chandigarh, June 17

Condemning the recent decision of the NDA government to implement the Agnipath scheme in the Army as a retrogressive step, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday asked the Centre to immediately roll back its decision in the larger interest of the country and its youth.

“After agriculture (kisani) it is a serious attack on the youth (jawani), which is unwarranted and undesirable. It is a huge loss for the Punjabi youth who are always ready to serve their motherland by joining the Army,” said the CM while condemning the move of the BJP-led NDA government.

Mann said it reflects the sorry state of affairs in the country as the party in power was recklessly running it without bothering about its youth.

He further said the AAP vehemently opposes this move, which deprives the youth of the opportunity to serve the country throughout life and rendering them useless after a service of merely four years. The CM said the Centre had backstabbed the youth of the country through this move.

Mann impressed upon the Centre to immediately roll back this decision in the larger interest of the unity, integrity and sovereignty of the county. Meanwhile addressing a press conference here, AAP chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said the Agnipath scheme was against the national interest and it had led to violent protests across the country.

Kang further said there must not be vested interest of the government to ensure that the spirit of patriotism of Army officials and countrymen remains intact.

“Due to this cavalier attitude of the Centre, the country’s youth have come onto roads to protest this irresponsible move.”

Lashing out at the BJP government, he said there were over two lakh vacancies in the Army and the recruitment process should be started at once. “A special session of Parliament or an all-party meeting should be called to discuss the whole matter related to defence before implementing any such schemes in future,” he added.

Withdraw decision: SKM to Centre

• The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) has condemned the Agnipath scheme, saying the contract system of appointment is detrimental to national interest and security
• In a press release, the SKM said the Centre should reverse its “fascist” decision and instead focus on controlling the high rate of inflation and unemployment
• The Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), too, criticised the scheme and sought it withdrawal
• The Naujawan Bharat Sabha said: “The scheme is a joke on the youth, who are sweating their blood to join the Army. It is a bid to centralise the Army.” TNS

Sheer humiliation of Army

It’s unfortunate that the Centre hasn’t employed even a single youth in the Army in the past two years. Now, it’s allowing a youth to serve the Army merely for four years and that too sans pension. This is sheer humiliation of the Army. — Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister