New Delhi: In a scathing attack on the government’s Agnipath recruitment scheme, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused it of “destroying the dreams of countless youths” and pledged his support for their protests.
Sharing a photo on Instagram with a group of young men who walked over 1,100 kilometres from Bihar’s Champaran to Delhi to protest the scheme, Gandhi stated, “The government has shattered the aspirations of countless youngsters by scrapping permanent recruitment in the Army and Air Force under the guise of the Agnipath scheme, a sham offering temporary jobs.”
He further expressed disappointment at the media’s alleged silence on the matter, saying, “It’s disheartening that the media isn’t highlighting the struggle of these young men who walked all the way from Champaran, the birthplace of Satyagraha, to raise their voices.”
In a show of solidarity, Gandhi affirmed, “We stand with the youth, both on the streets and in Parliament, as they fight for employment opportunities.”
The Agnipath scheme, launched in June 2022, focuses on recruiting youngsters aged 17.5 to 21 for only four years, with a 25% retention rate for permanent service after 15 years. However, the scheme has faced widespread criticism from several quarters, with concerns raised about job security, long-term career prospects, and the impact on the armed forces’ structure.
Rahul Gandhi’s strong words against Agnipath and his unwavering support for the protesting youth add fuel to the ongoing debate and are likely to intensify pressure on the government to address the concerns surrounding the controversial scheme.
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