‘Agnipath’ Is Voluntary, If You Don’t Like It Don’t Come: VK Singh
Mumbai: Amid violent protests in many parts of the country over the Agnipath scheme, Union Minister and former Army Chief General VK Singh (Retd) on Sunday said those who don’t like the new policy for recruitment into the armed forces they shouldn’t opt for it.
“Joining Army is voluntary and not compulsion. If any aspirant wants to join, he can join as per his wish, we do not recruit soldiers. But if you don’t like this recruitment scheme (‘Agnipath’) then don’t come to (join). Who is asking you to come? You are burning buses and trains. Who told you that you will be recruited into the armed forces. You will be selected only if you fulfil the eligibility criteria,” he said.
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Singh further said that the army is neither an employment agency nor a company or a shop, adding that people join the army to serve the country.
Unveiled on June 14, the Agneepath scheme envisages the recruitment of youth in the age group of 17 years to 21 years for a period of four years on a contract basis in the Army, Navy and Air Force. 25. A percentage of them are for 15 more years of regular service.
Later, the government increased the upper age limit for recruitment to 23 years in 2022.
Singh also accused the opposition, especially the Congress, of trying to mislead the youth. “The only task left with the opposition is to criticize any government scheme and stop it. They want to create unrest in the country to defame the government.”
The announcement of the Centre’s plan has sparked violent protests in several states across the country, with youth taking to the streets, setting vehicles on fire and blocking railway tracks to express their discontent.
A senior military official on Sunday warned youth against violent protests saying those involved in arson and vandalism against the scheme would not be allowed to join the three services under the new recruitment model.
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