The country witnessed widespread protests by students and youth on 17 June onwards against the Modi government's Agnipath scheme for the army which is a cruel joke on the youth, and a scheme to play havoc with the entire structure of the army.
Under this scheme that initiates the contract system in the armed forces, young people will be retired at the age when they hope to start a long career. This scheme talks of employment for just 4 years. Youth across the country have risen in strong protest against this scheme. Retired army officers are also opposing this scheme.
This is a natural explosion of anger by unemployed youth against the Modi government which is giving 'jumlas' in the name of jobs and retirement at the age when careers should begin. CPIML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya appealed to the youth to make the protests extensive so that the Modi government is forced to back down.
Comrade Dipankar pointed out that the Modi government had promised 'achhe din' and 2 crores jobs per year. Thus by 2024 young persons should have got 20 crore jobs. But now this government is talking of filling only 10 lakh vacancies before the 2024 election. The entire country is watching and understanding these 'jumlas' of the Modi government. Grounds for a decisive battle against this are ready.
Demand to Withdraw Agnipath Scheme Intensifies
Student-youth and their many organisations in all the states have opposed this Scheme demanding an immediate withdrawal and reinstatement of old army recruitment policy. Organizations in Bihar, including AISA, RYA, Sena Bharti Jawan Morcha and Rozgar Sangharsh Samyukta Morcha have taken up cudgels against the Modi government's Agnipath scheme to bring the contract system in the Army. These organizations have given the Modi government an ultimatum saying if the government toys with national security and plays this cruel joke on the youth of the country, protests will be further intensified.
This scheme also makes a mockery of national security. The country will never accept this destruction of the very structure of the Army. Retired Army officers have also come out openly against this scheme. Candidates who have passed 2 Air Force recruitment exams or are awaiting the final Army recruitment cut-offs will also be pushed into the ambit of this scheme. Strong protests have taken place across the country against this and every corner of the country is afire with anger.
This explosion of anger among students-youth is natural. The Modi government is cheating the youth in the name of Agnipath and has also betrayed the youth by endangering their future. The youth have determined to fight a decisive battle against the government's 'jumlebaji' and cheating. They have come out on the streets and have even gheraoing BJP leaders.
AISA-RYA have appealed to all Opposition parties, social organizations and common people to support this movement.
