Will scrap 'Agnipath', revert to old recruitment scheme if voted to power: Congress

If some changes are to be introduced to modernise the armed forces, that is very much possible in the current setup, but to completely eradicate the old system is not right, Pilot said.

New Delhi: Seeking “justice” for defence job aspirants, the Congress on Monday knocked at the President’s door claiming that over two lakh youth had been chosen for defence services but their job offers were withdrawn after the Agnipath scheme was introduced.

The party said it would scrap the scheme and return to the old system if voted to power at the Centre.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, seeking to “highlight the anyay (injustice) inflicted upon lakhs of youth”.

A majority of Agnipath recruits would be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service, which, some have argued, could affect social stability, Kharge said.

Congress on Monday knocked on the President’s doors seeking justice for around 2 lakh youths who were offered jobs in the military but later withdrawn following the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, which the party insisted would be scrapped if the grand old party is voted to power.

Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to President Droupadi Murmu seeking to “highlight the injustice inflicted on the lakhs of youths whose dreams did not materialise despite the solemn promise” made by the government.

He said that he met a group of youths who told him that 2 lakh young men and women were informed about being chosen into the three armed services between 2019 and 2022 but not given joining letters after the introduction of the Agnipath scheme.

“Until 31 May 2022, they believed that they had fulfilled their dreams and were awaiting only their joining letters. On that day, their dreams were shattered by the Government of India’s decision to end this recruitment process and replace it with the Agnipath Scheme,” he said.

“Not only did they spend years in pursuit of this dream, but the Rs 250 each of 50 lakh applicants had to pay to collect an application form was never refunded, which amounts to a hefty Rs 125 crore taken from these youngsters. The resulting frustration and hopelessness have even led to several reported deaths by suicide,” he said.

Kharge said the majority of ‘Agniveers’ will be released into an uncertain job market after four years of service, which some have argued could affect social stability. “Our youth cannot be allowed to suffer in this manner. I appeal to you to ensure that Nyay and justice are done,” Kharge added.

Addressing a press conference, Congress General Secretary Sachin Pilot said the Agnipath scheme will not benefit anybody except saving some money for the Government of India. “We in the Congress believe that the Agnipath programme is not a positive development and we will certainly go back to the old recruitment system when people vote us back,” Pilot said.

Tagging Kharge’s letter, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X, “We are with the military candidates, who are full of patriotism and bravery, in the fight for justice”.