“Injustice to youth”: Congress chief writes letter to President on Agneepath scheme

He shared his letter on Twitter and said that Congress is with the youth in the fight for justice.

New Delhi:

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday wrote to President Draupadi Murmu highlighting the “gross injustice” done to the country’s youth seeking regular employment in the armed forces due to the Agneepath scheme and urged him to ensure justice for them.

Mr Kharge, in his letter to the President, said the future of nearly 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain due to the decision taken by the Centre.

The President is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

Mr Kharge shared his letter on Twitter and said Congress stands with the youth in the fight for justice for armed forces candidates “who are full of patriotism and bravery”.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also shared Mr Kharge’s letter on Twitter.

In his letter to President Murmu, Mr Kharge said, “My main purpose in writing to you is to highlight the ‘anyaya’ or injustice inflicted on millions of youth whose dreams have not been fulfilled despite serious promises made by the Government of India.” He claimed that these youth spent years pursuing their dreams and “there have been reports of many even committing suicide due to frustration and despair as a result”.

He said, “Our youth cannot be allowed to suffer like this. I appeal to you to ensure that justice and equity are served.”

Mr Kharge said he recently met a group of young men and women who were selected for service in the Indian Armed Forces, “but were cruelly denied the opportunity to serve their country”.

“Recently I met him and he told me that between 2019 and 2022, about 2 lakh young men and women were informed that they have been accepted into the three armed services: Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force These young men and women had struggled against all odds to pass rigorous mental and physical tests and written examinations.

“By May 31, 2022, he was confident that he had achieved his dreams and was only waiting for his joining letter. On that day, he was struck by the decision of the Government of India to end this recruitment process and replace it with the Agneepath scheme. Dreams were shattered.” He said.

The Congress leader said former Army chief General MM Naravane had written in his memoirs that Agneepath had “taken the Army by surprise” and “for the Navy and the Air Force, it came like a bolt from the blue”.

There are several issues with the Agneepath scheme, Mr Kharge said, adding that the scheme is “discriminatory” as it creates parallel cadres of soldiers who are expected to work on similar tasks with very different pay, benefits and prospects.

“Most firefighters will be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service, which some argue could affect social stability,” he said.

He said that the future of about 2 lakh young men and women has become uncertain due to the decisions of the Government of India.

In June 2022, the government launched the Agneepath Recruitment Scheme for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with the aim of reducing the age profile of the three services.

There is a provision to recruit youth in the age group of 17½ to 21 years for four years, out of which there is a provision to retain 25 percent for 15 more years.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)