Cong holds rallies against Agnipath across state

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) staged a protest against the Agnipath scheme in all assembly constituencies of the state on Monday.

The Agnipath scheme enables young Indians to join the army for a limited period of four years. At the end of their tenure 25% will be absorbed, while the rest will be demobilised after being paid a settlement of Rs 11.71 lakh. They won’t be eligible for pension, nor can they avail medical or canteen services. This has sparked violent protests by armed forces aspirants in several states.

KPCC president DK Shivakumar on his visit to Koppal claimed the Modi-led BJP government at the Centre was trying to fool the youth with the Agnipath scheme, adding that the programme did not amount to real long-term employment and job security.

“The youth across the length and breadth of the country have been holding protests against the Agnipath scheme. They are trying to turn our youth into security guards at the BJP party offices. If they are willing, let the BJP ministers make their children join (as security guards at their party offices). Give our children leave to become doctors and engineers. Let the army recruit in the regular way, the way they have been doing all this time,” he said.

State’s Youth Congress also took part in the protests in Bengaluru, among other locations. Shivakumar also sought to allay fears that there was a rift in the party between him and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, adding that the tickets would be handed out to candidates in a timely manner under the guidance of the party’s central leadership.

He also flayed the BJP for what he claimed was “vendetta politics.” He claimed that the BJP-led Centre was trying to frame Congress leaders in false cases, referring to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons issued to Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.