Congress on Agnipath scheme: BJP denying 1.5 lakh youth entry into defence after selection is unfair

New Delhi: Congress urged prime minister Narendra Modi to allow about 1.5 lakh youth, who had been selected for recruitment in the defence forces before the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, to join the services as they had completed all formalities and qualified for the final selection.

The party also sought relaxation of one or one and a half years in their age since they had been selected two years ago.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the chairman of the Ex-Servicemen Department of the AICC, Col (Retd) Rohit Chaudhry said that after the Modi government introduced the Agnipath scheme in June 2022, these aspirants who had already completed all the process and formalities between 2019 and up to June 2022, were not allowed to join the services.

He also said that applications for Armed forces have decreased ever since the scheme was introduced.

Scheme hurting previous applicants

Col Chaudhry pointed out, normally any scheme or policy is implemented prospectively and in this case, the Modi government had implemented the scheme retrospectively thus denying about 1.5 lakh youth not only employment opportunities but also shattering their dreams to serve the country.

Col Chaudhry questioned the rationale behind cancelling the recruitments of 1.5 lakh youth when they had qualified and completed all formalities. “Around 64 of them had committed suicide. Who is responsible for their deaths?” he asked.

Some of the aspirants had taken out a march from Champaran to New Delhi. He said they had met defence minister Rajnath Singh who had assured to listen to their demands. However, he said, nothing has come out so far.

‘Rs 100-crore scam in recruitments’

Col Chaudhry assured that the Congress party will continue to stand by the aspirants and said that former party president Rahul Gandhi met them and their parents. “Rahul Gandhi assured them that he will raise their voice from ‘sadak to sadan’ (street to Parliament),” he said.

Col Chaudhry also alleged that about Rs 100 crore scam had taken place during the recruitment process, saying each applicant was made to pay Rs 200 as an application fee. He said about 50 lakh youth had applied which makes it Rs 100 crores. “Why was the money taken when the recruitment was cancelled?” he asked.

The AICC Ex-Servicemen Department chairman reiterated his party’s strong opposition to the Agnipath scheme, pointing out even former Chief of Army Staff MM Naravane had also written in his book that the scheme had come as a surprise.

‘Shortcomings of scheme’

Listing the shortcomings of the scheme, he said, it will compromise the security of the country as the country does not need a “contractual army”. He said, four years of service neither fulfilled the security requirements nor did it offer any social or financial security to the recruits who get recruited at the age of 17 or 18 and get unemployed at the age of 21 or 22. He said, in some cases even matrimonial proposals of the Agniveers were rejected.

Col Chaudhry disclosed that there has been a massive drop in the number of applicants and aspirants for joining in the defence forces after the introduction of the Agnipath scheme.

Quoting data he got through an RTI, Col Chaudhry said, that while 34 lakh aspirants had applied to join defence forces in 2022-23, the number came down drastically to just 10 lakhs in the next year, 2023-24. He said, this will lead to compromise in quality also, as the defence forces will have lesser choice in choosing the best talent.