Agnipath Row highlights: Key accused in Secunderabad violence identified

In the past few days, protests against 'Agnipath' rocked various parts of the country with agitators vandalising public property and burning down trains in states such as Bihar, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. In view of this, precautionary measures are being taken in many states and a nationwide call for Bharat Bandh today was observed.

Farmers' collective Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), which had spearheaded the agitation against the Centre's now-scrapped agri laws, on Monday dubbedAgnipathas another ploy to harm peasants and announced a nationwide protest on June 24 against the Centre's new military recruitment scheme.

Railway Police have identified key accused in June 17 violence at Secunderabad railway station. (IANS)

Service chiefs are likely to meet PM Modi tomorrow to brief him on Agnipath scheme.

12 interstate trains cancelled due to agitation over 'Agnipath' scheme

The Eastern Railway on Monday cancelled 12 interstate express trains and rescheduled 11 others, including those originating from Howrah, Sealdah and Kolkata stations, owing to the agitations in Bihar and some other states over the Centre’s ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment in the Armed forces, an official said.(PTI)

Plea filed in Supreme Court against Agnipath scheme

A plea was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme alleging that the government has quashed the century-old selection process for the Armed forces which is contrary to the constitutional provisions and without having parliamentary approval.

The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-a-half-years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. Protests have erupted in several states against the scheme.

Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022.(PTI)

Several decisions may look unfair at first, but benefit nation in long run, says PM Modi amid Agnipath protests

Amid massive protest over the new recruitment policy in defence forces Agnipath, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said some decisions that look unpleasant at first will benefit the country in the long run.

"Several reforms, several decisions may seem unpleasant temporarily. But, in time, the nation benefits from these reforms," Modi said at a public meeting in Bengaluru in relation to the growth in the startup sector.

The PM did not make any reference to the Agnipath scheme that has sparked protests in different parts of the country.

Read more

BJP MLA compares Agnipath protesters to 'jihadis', stokes controversy

"Jihadis" opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were behind the violence and arson that took place in Bihar during protests against Agnipath and they felt emboldened by utterances of “big leaders” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), a BJP MLA alleged on Monday.

Bisfi MLA Harishbhushan Thakur Bachhaul, who is fast gaining a reputation for acerbity of speech, made the statement sneering at the chief minister's party, which, he said, had “no connection with the masses” and was likely to “vanish after the demise of Nitish Kumar”.

Read more

Congress leaders march towards Rashtrapati Bhawan from Vijay Chowk

Several decisions may look unfair at first, but help in nation-building in long run, says Modi

Amidst the ongoing protests against theAgnipath scheme,Prime Minister Narendra said that several decisions may look unfair at first, but help in building the nation later.

"Several decisions look unfair at present. In time, those decisions will help in building the nation," PM Modi said at a public address in Bengaluru.

The prime minister, however, made no direct reference to the scheme in his speech.

BJP MLA compares Agnipath protesters to jihadis

BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur on Monday said that those who are protesting against the Agnipath scheme are Jihadis. They have nothing to do with patriotism.

"Those protesting against the Agnipath scheme are jihadis or they are those with vested interest. Those who want to serve the nation are very happy with the scheme. This is not a job but a service to the nation. People have to sacrifice their lives for it," Thakur said.

"I want to say that this is not a job for those who want privilege and luxury in the defence forces. If you are pursuing BA course, you get degree in 6 years in some universities due to delayed session. Here, we are giving an opportunity to the youth to serve the nation for 4 years with salary, retirement funds and post retirement jobs in other sectors and paramilitary forces," the BJP MLA from Bipsi in Madhubani district said.(IANS)

Modi will die Hitler's death if he follows his path, says Subodh Kant Sahay

'Agnipath introduced in haste', BSP, SP criticise Centre

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Monday slammed the Centre over 'Agnipath' claiming the scheme was introduced in a haste and that the opposition to the BJP "from all sides" showed the saffron party had lost its base.

— PTI

Youth Cong workers stop train near Connaught Place, several detained

Indian Youth Congress workers on Monday stopped a train at the Shivaji Bridge railway station near Connaught Place in the national capital to push for their demand for a rollback of theAgnipathdefence recruitment scheme.

(PTI)

Aspirants block roads in parts of Haryana; security tightened

More protests were witnessed in parts of Haryana on Monday againstAgnipathas armed forces aspirants blocked roads and demanded that the scheme be rolled back.

In Fatehabad, a group of youth blocked the Lal Batti Chowk, while several others staged a protest on roads in Rohtak district.

— PTI

BJP trying to fool people with schemes like ‘Agnipath’ ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

BJP trying to create armed cadre base through 'Agnipath' scheme: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday slammed the BJP-led central government over the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, alleging that the saffron camp was trying to create its own "armed” cadre base through the new defence recruitment programme.

— PTI

Indian Army issues notification for Agniveer recruitment rally, registration to open from July onwards

Heavy security deployed at Punjab's Jalandhar railway station

Congress leaders, workers stage a sit-in at Jantar Mantar

Tight security at Delhi's Nizamuddin Railway station amid calls over Bharat Bandh

Railways cancels 529 trains

More than 500 trains were cancelled on Monday with operations again disrupted by protests against the Agnipath defence recruitment scheme.

While 539 trains were affected, 529 trains were cancelled, including 181 mail/express trains and 348 passengers trains, the Railways said in a statement.

The Railways also partially cancelled four mail/express trains.

(PTI)

Anti-Agnipath agitations cause train cancellations

Punjab: Security at Amritsar railway station in wake of Bharat Bandh

Congress leaders hold 'Satyagraha' at Jantar Mantar against Rahul Gandhi's ED summons and Agnipath Scheme

Passengers at UP's Gorakhpur Railway Station irked over cancelled trains amid Bharat Bandh call

Heavy traffic jam on Sarhaul border at Delhi-Gurugram expressway as Police begins vehicle checks in wake of Bharat Bandh

Normal life continues in West Bengal's Siliguri amid the call for Bharat Bandh

Tight security at Delhi's Man Singh Road in wake of Bharat Bandh

West Bengal Police urges youth to not get involved in untoward activity

'Police force has been deployed at multiple locations. We are ready to tackle any kind of situation that may arise. We also urge the youth to not get involved in any untoward activity,' said Anupam Singh, DCP North, Howrah

Tight security in West Bengal in view of Bharat Bandh

Amid protests against Agnipath scheme, Mahindra Group announce to recruit Agniveers

(ANI)

Bihar | Security personnel deployed at Dak Bungalow Chauraha in Patna in view of Bharat Bandh

Sec 144 imposed in UP's Gautam Buddha Nagar

Amid protests against Agnipath scheme, anti-social elements may jeopardise peace during Bharat Bandh, said Ashutosh Dwivedi, ADCP, Law&Order, Noida.Sec 144 imposed in Gautam Buddha Nagar.Strict action will be taken against those found involved in such incidents.

Schools in Jharkhand will remain shut on Monday in view of the bandh called over the Agnipath recruitment scheme

The ongoing examinations of classes 9 and 11 have also been postponed, they said.

"In view of the bandh called by certain organisations, it has been decided that all government, as well as private schools, will remain closed on Monday," School Education and Literacy Department secretary Rajesh Kumar Sharma told PTI on Sunday.