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Protests break out in India over new military recruitment system

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silentkiller187

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Crowds in India set a train coach on fire and blocked railway tracks and roads in protests on Thursday against a new military recruitment system, police said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government this week announced an overhaul of recruitment for India's 1.38 million-strong armed forces, looking to bring down the average age of personnel and reduce pension expenditure.

Sanjay Singh, additional director general of police in the eastern state of Bihar, said protests broke out in about a dozen locations, with roads and railway tracks obstructed.

“The protesters set fire to a train bogie (coach) in one place,” Singh told Reuters.

“They have ransacked one railway station.”

The new system, called Agnipath or “path of fire” in Hindi, will bring in men and women between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 for a four-year tenure, with only a quarter retained for longer periods.

Previously, soldiers have been recruited by the army, navy and air force separately and typically enter service for up to 17 years for the lowest ranks.

The shorter tenure has caused concern among potential recruits.

“Where will we go after working for only four years?” one young man, surrounded by fellow protesters in Bihar's Jehanabad district, told Reuters partner ANI. “We will be homeless after four years of service. So we have jammed the roads.”

Bihar and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh saw protests over the recruitment process for railway jobs in January this year, underlining India's persistent unemployment problem.

Varun Gandhi, a BJP lawmaker from Uttar Pradesh, in a letter to India's defence minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that 75 per cent of those recruited under the scheme would become unemployed after four years of service.

“Every year, this number will increase,” Gandhi said, according to a copy of the letter posted by him on social media.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1695118/protests-break-out-in-india-over-new-military-recruitment-system
 
silentkiller187 said:
The new system, called Agnipath or “path of fire” in Hindi, will bring in men and women between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 for a four-year tenure, with only a quarter retained for longer periods.

Previously, soldiers have been recruited by the army, navy and air force separately and typically enter service for up to 17 years for the lowest ranks.

The shorter tenure has caused concern among potential recruits.

Where will we go after working for only four years?” one young man, surrounded by fellow protesters in Bihar's Jehanabad district, told Reuters partner ANI. “We will be homeless after four years of service. So we have jammed the roads.”

Bihar and neighbouring Uttar Pradesh saw protests over the recruitment process for railway jobs in January this year, underlining India's persistent unemployment problem.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1695118/protests-break-out-in-india-over-new-military-recruitment-system
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LOL, this ***** has not even been hired and most likely will never be. Yet he wonders about what he will do after four years of service and riots. Typical Sheik Chilli!
Indian ex-servicemen often get good jobs after leaving service. There's also a reservation system in place for them, if I am not mistaken. The last thing most of them need to worry about is a job post service.

This is just another excuse to riot, and it's the usual culprits at work.
 
gani999 said:
LOL, this ***** has not even been hired and most likely will never be. Yet he wonders about what he will do after four years of service and riots. Typical Sheik Chilli!
Indian ex-servicemen often get good jobs after leaving service. There's also a reservation system in place for them, if I am not mistaken. The last thing most of them need to worry about is a job post service.

This is just another excuse to riot, and it's the usual culprits at work.
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Mostly officers. Non-officers mostly end up as guards outside malls and societies.
 
Protests against Agnipath, a radical recruitment plan for the armed forces, turned violent today as Army aspirants disrupted rail and road traffic in several parts of Bihar for the second consecutive day. Trains were set afire, rail and road traffic disrupted, window panes of buses smashed, and passersby, including a ruling BJP MLA, pelted with stones by angry youth demanding the withdrawal of the new short-term recruitment scheme. Violent protests have now spread to multiple states across the country. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have also reported violent protests.

Phone internet and SMS services have been suspended for 24 hours in Haryana's Palwal district following stone-pelting and violence by Army aspirants. Police had to resort to aerial firing after a mob attacked them and set their vehicles on fire.

Due to demonstrations and vandalism at several railway stations, 22 trains from Bihar had to be cancelled and five had to stop after completing partial journeys, East Central Railway said.

Baton-wielding protestors smashed glass windows of the intercity express train at Bihar's Bhabhua Road railway station and set one coach on fire. Holding a banner saying "Indian Army lovers," they raised slogans rejecting the new recruitment scheme.

In Nawada, the vehicle of BJP MLA Aruna Devi, who was on her way to a court, was attacked by the agitators who hurled stones at her car, leaving five persons, including the legislator, injured. The BJP office in Nawada was also vandalised.

"The protesters seemed to have been provoked by the sight of the party flag, fitted on my car, which they tore. My driver, two security guards, and two personal staff members have sustained injuries," the MLA told reporters, adding that she was "too shaken" to have registered a police complaint.

At the railway station in Arrah, police had to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse a huge crowd of protestors who pelted stones at the police. Visuals showed railway staff using fire extinguishers to put out a fire caused by protesters throwing furniture on the tracks and setting them alight.

In Jehanabad, students pelted stones injuring several people including cops who chased them away to clear the railway tracks where they had camped to disrupt rail traffic. Dramatic visuals from the railway station showed the police and protesting students pelting stones at each other. The cops also pointed their guns at the protesters to scare them away.

In Nawada, groups of young men burnt tyres at a public crossing and raised slogans demanding the rollback of the tour of duty scheme. They also blocked the railway tracks at the Nawada station and burnt tyres on the track. Visuals from the spot show a huge crowd damaging railway property and shouting expletives at PM Modi. Many can be seen doing pushups on the railway tracks while the police try to appeal for peace through a handheld public address system.

Agnipath, the tour of duty scheme, proposes the recruitment of jawans on a contractual basis for a four-year period followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits. The new recruitment plan aims to cut down the government's massive salary and pension bills and free up funds for arms procurement.

In Saharsa, students flocked to the railway station and pelted stones when the police tried to chase them away to prevent rail traffic disruption.

Violent mobs could also be seen in Chapra, carrying heavy wooden sticks and smashing state roadways buses in protest.

Protests have been reported from several parts of neighbouring Uttar Pradesh as well.

Yesterday, protests broke out in Bihar's Muzaffarpur and Buxar with the protesters asking what they will do after four years.

Under the Agnipath scheme, about 45,000 people between the age of 17.5 years and 21 years will be inducted into the services for a four-year tenure. During this period, they will be paid a monthly salary between Rs 30,000-40,000 plus allowances. They will also be entitled to medical and insurance benefits.

After four years, only 25 per cent of these soldiers will be retained and they will go on to serve for a full 15 years in non-officer ranks. The remaining will exit the services with a package between Rs 11 lakh - ₹ 12 lakh, but won't be eligible for pension benefits.

Under the old system, youths aged between 16.5 and 21 years were selected for a minimum of 15 years of service and used to get a pension after retirement.

The new policy has drawn criticism and questions from several quarters, including a section of veterans. Critics have argued that a four-year tenure will hit fighting spirit in the ranks and make them risk-averse.

Among the veterans, Major General ** Dhanoa (retired) tweeted, "Two serious recommendations to the just-announced recruitment policy for the armed forces; a. Increase the service period of new recruits to a min of seven years b. Make the retention of those keen to serve longer at least 50 per cent."

NDTV
 
Nothing is organized in India except for mob violence. It takes less than an hour to gather a mob of 1000 strong to riot like crazed apes.
Don't like what the Government did, just burn the nearest bus or train or some poor guys vehicle.
 
Why is burning such a popular form of protest or showing anger in India.

Hindu Muslim clashes. doosrey ko jala do
Masjid.. jala do
Mandir .. jala do
Pakistan match jeet raha hai.. Stadium jala do
Meri pasand ki party haar gayi.. jo nazar aye jala do
Protest kerna hai.... YOU GOT IT.. JALA DO!
 
Stewie said:
Why is burning such a popular form of protest or showing anger in India.

Hindu Muslim clashes. doosrey ko jala do
Masjid.. jala do
Mandir .. jala do
Pakistan match jeet raha hai.. Stadium jala do
Meri pasand ki party haar gayi.. jo nazar aye jala do
Protest kerna hai.... YOU GOT IT.. JALA DO!
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Something related to our primitive instincts I guess.
 
Probably the most mindless decision in the long list of mindless decisions taken by the government. It's also comical to see the Modi govt who would shout "national security" at every opportunity actually compromising with national security.
 
Champ_Pal said:
Nothing is organized in India except for mob violence. It takes less than an hour to gather a mob of 1000 strong to riot like crazed apes.
Don't like what the Government did, just burn the nearest bus or train or some poor guys vehicle.
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Unfortunately, this is the only language our neta understand nowadays. Days of peaceful protests are long gone.
 
Stewie said:
Why is burning such a popular form of protest or showing anger in India.

Hindu Muslim clashes. doosrey ko jala do
Masjid.. jala do
Mandir .. jala do
Pakistan match jeet raha hai.. Stadium jala do
Meri pasand ki party haar gayi.. jo nazar aye jala do
Protest kerna hai.... YOU GOT IT.. JALA DO!
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You need to make a lot of noise to get noticed in India. Most minor burnings or fights never get reported in Indian media. So people need to do something major to get noticed.

Government is also pretty soft and lets people damage public property without any consequences. It only emboldens the rioters and sets a bad example for future clashes. The same thing I observe here in USA too these days. You go soft on apes, they will tear down the city.
 
silentkiller187 said:
Sanjay Singh, additional director general of police in the eastern state of Bihar, said protests broke out in about a dozen locations, with roads and railway tracks obstructed.
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BIMARU gonna BIMARU.
 
1. What is the Agnipath Scheme?
This scheme entails a recruitment process for individuals below the rank of officer, with the goal of deploying fitter, younger troops on the front lines, many of whom will be on four-year contracts. It's a game-changing project that will give the Army, Navy, and Air Force a more young image.

2. Who can apply to this scheme?
Under this scheme both men and women between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will be brought into the armed forces.

3. What is the eligibility criteria for this scheme?
All three services will be enrolled through a centralized online system, with specific rallies and campus interviews conducted by recognised technical colleges such as Industrial Training Institutes and the National Skills Qualifications Framework, among others. Enrollment will be on a 'All India All Class' basis, with eligible ages ranging from 17.5 to 21 years old. Agniveers will meet the medical requirements for enlistment in the armed forces as they apply to their particular categories/trades. Agniveers' educational qualifications will continue to be popular for enrolment in many categories, such as: The educational requirement for becoming a General Duty (GD) soldier is Class 10.

4. Can girls apply for Agnipath Entry and is there any reservation for girls?
Yes, girls under the given age limit are open for the agnipath entry, while there is no such reservation for women under this scheme.

5. What is the salary package under this scheme?
The 1st year salary package of Rs 4.76 lakh with upgradation of up to Rs 6.92 lakh in 4th year While post release, Seva Nidhi package is of approx. Rs 11.71 lakh, including interest (tax free)There’s also a non-contributory insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh. Provided the individuals receive a Agniveer skill certificate which will assist in post release job opportunities.

6. When will Agneepath recruitment start?
The first Agnipath entry rally recruitment will start from September – Oct 2022.

7. What are the terms of service under Agnipath?
After four years of service, 25% of the Agniveers will be retained in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness. They will then serve for a full term of another 15 years. While the other 75% Agniveers will be demobilised, with an exit or “Seva Nidhi '' package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.

8. What are the advantages of this scheme?
It provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the youth to serve their country and contribute to national development. The Armed Forces would be younger and more vibrant.The Agniveers will have a good financial package with the opportunity to train in the best military ethos in civil society and institutions, as well as improve their skills and qualifications. This will make well-disciplined and skilled youth with military ethos in the civil society.

9. Does this scheme induce any change in the age to drop out from the military?
Military officials said the new system would help bring down the average age of the armed forces. In the Army, the average age would drop from 32 to 26.

10. Is there any change in the defence budget?
The defence budget of Rs 5,25,166 crore for 2022-23 included Rs 1,19,696 crore for defence pensions. The allocation for revenue expenditure was Rs 2,33,000 crore. The revenue expenditure includes the expenses on payment of salaries and maintenance of establishments.
 
The purpose of the scheme is 4 years contract and these people expecting lifetime benefits after 4 years.:facepalm

No one forcing to enroll in this scheme, people who want to serve the army for long can apply regular posts.

After four years of service, 25% of the Agniveers will be retained in the regular cadre based on merit.

Remaining 75% Agniveers will exit or “Seva Nidhi '' package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.
 
Cover Drive Six said:
The purpose of the scheme is 4 years contract and these people expecting lifetime benefits after 4 years.:facepalm

No one forcing to enroll in this scheme, people who want to serve the army for long can apply regular posts.

After four years of service, 25% of the Agniveers will be retained in the regular cadre based on merit.

Remaining 75% Agniveers will exit or “Seva Nidhi '' package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.
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This sounds like a great package for just 4 years of service. If true, these people should be celebrating instead of rioting.
 
[MENTION=76058]cricketjoshila[/MENTION]

[MENTION=137142]JaDed[/MENTION] was talking about a situation in the other thread regarding BJP not taking action against hindus. This is a perfect opportunity for BJP to prove their doubters wrong and shoot these protestors who are causing riots and damaging public properties. Just shoot them in the head and run a buldozer over their houses too.

 
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I wonder if the BJP supporters will also say 'they get what they deserved' or 'rioters deserve it' if shot dead by Indian police? Surely this type of mentality wasn't only for Muslims but all protestors?
 
KingKhanWC said:
I wonder if the BJP supporters will also say 'they get what they deserved' or 'rioters deserve it' if shot dead by Indian police? Surely this type of mentality wasn't only for Muslims but all protestors?
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At least there is equality in shooting all vandalizers.
 
“Don’t put a time limit on dreams.” Arvind Kejriwal at Agneepath

Arvind Kejriwal joins a growing list of politicians who have condemned the scheme

Amid protests in several states over the recently announced Agneepath scheme, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today asked the Center not to limit the service period for fresh recruits in the armed forces to just four years. urged.

In a series of tweets, Arvind Kejriwal extended his support to the Sena candidates opposing the scheme.


With this, Mr Kejriwal joins a growing list of politicians who have denounced the scheme, under which soldiers will be recruited as ‘agnivars’ in the armed forces on a contract basis for a period of four years. , followed by compulsory retirement for most. Gratuity and pension benefits.

Earlier, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav this morning termed the move as “reckless” and potentially “deadly” for the future of the country.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, BJP MP Varun Gandhi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav have also condemned the scheme.

Agneepath has also faced criticism from some Army veterans, who argue that the four-year tenure will stifle the fighting spirit in the ranks and put them at risk.


Protests against the plan continued for the second consecutive day across Bihar on Thursday as protesters disrupted rail and road traffic in several districts. There are also reports of protests from several parts of the neighboring state of Uttar Pradesh.

Under this scheme, about 45,000 people in the age group of 17.5 years to 21 years will be inducted into the services for a tenure of four years. During this period, they will be paid a monthly salary of between Rs 30,000-40,000 plus allowances.

The new recruitment scheme aims to cut the government’s huge salary and pension bills and free up funds for arms purchases.

https://news.bharattimes.co.in/dont-put-a-time-limit-on-dreams-arvind-kejriwal-at-agneepath/
 
Thanks to article 370, CAA and farm protests. People now understand they can just protest over everything and anything they dislike. Its just gonna become hard to bring in any reforms.
 
IndoorCricket said:
Thanks to article 370, CAA and farm protests. People now understand they can just protest over everything and anything they dislike. Its just gonna become hard to bring in any reforms.
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Its been like that since Day-1 of India's independence and progressively got worse. Nothing ever gets done in India. Too much bureaucracy, too many protests, Government bowling down to protesters demands etc.
 
Can someone please post the stats on how many houses have been bulldozed? I mean it’s clearly a proportional response if you’re damaging public property right?
 
IndoorCricket said:
Thanks to article 370, CAA and farm protests. People now understand they can just protest over everything and anything they dislike. Its just gonna become hard to bring in any reforms.
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Lol yeah right because Patel and Jat Reservations didn’t promote that.
 
Why do BJP fans think protests started in India only in last 7 years?
 
Indian army jobs are highly coveted. Bcoz it is govt job - so high job security + Lucrative pay + pension benefits. Its also major source of employment - almost 70-80k young men recruited everywhere.

The bigger issue is high unemployment in rural India and the youth fears the army route is now gone as well. Hence such massive protests. Its more of reflection of low job creation in the last few years ( especially due to Covid )

Modi has been hopelessly poor in creating new jobs for rural folks. Now he is cutting army recruitment
 
JaDed said:
Why do BJP fans think protests started in India only in last 7 years?
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Lol don't be surprised if you start hearing India got it's independence in 2014.

One of the panelists in a Times Now show said. India was invaded thrice - First by Mughals, Second by Britishers and Third time by "Marxist Nehruvian clan". LMAO

The delusions these bhakts have are beyond repair. India will have to prepare for enough mental asylums in the country if we ever see the day BJP lose general elections. Need some place to put these bhakts in. or maybe just repurpose the "detention camps" into mental asylums. Ah the sweet serving of karma that'd be.
 
NishanKonar said:
You see everything happened only after 2014. Including the Big Bang :P
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Seriously these clueless bhakts would even believe that provided it comes from their supreme leader. So deranged and devoid of any gray matter these guys are!
 
Cricfan4eva said:
Lol don't be surprised if you start hearing India got it's independence in 2014.
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Its already been said by one of the bhakts,

Kangana says India attained freedom in 2014 and 1947 was ‘bheek’, triggers outrage

Actor Kangana Ranaut kicked off a firestorm on Thursday for declaring that India attained freedom in 2014, when the Modi-led government came to power, and describing the country’s Independence in 1947 as “bheek”, or alms.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/n...14-and-1947-was-bheek-triggers-outrage-336839
 
Cover Drive Six said:
The purpose of the scheme is 4 years contract and these people expecting lifetime benefits after 4 years.:facepalm

No one forcing to enroll in this scheme, people who want to serve the army for long can apply regular posts.

After four years of service, 25% of the Agniveers will be retained in the regular cadre based on merit.

Remaining 75% Agniveers will exit or “Seva Nidhi '' package of Rs 11-12 lakh, partly funded by their monthly contributions, as well as skill certificates and bank loans for help in their second careers.
Click to expand...

Why are ppl protesting if there is no compulsion in joining the Agnipath>? Surely if there is no compulsion, I can see this as another ploy by the opposition (rioting, protesting etc) to cause trouble, its not gonna work anyway, BJP will clean the 2024 elections regardless lol.

However if there is compulsion in joining, the protests and other means are justified imo...
 
Romali_rotti said:
Why are ppl protesting if there is no compulsion in joining the Agnipath>? Surely if there is no compulsion, I can see this as another ploy by the opposition (rioting, protesting etc) to cause trouble, its not gonna work anyway, BJP will clean the 2024 elections regardless lol.

However if there is compulsion in joining, the protests and other means are justified imo...
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All non-officer post will be filled only by Agnipath. Which means the current recruitment process will be scrapped.

There is no option to choose from.

All the Agniveer candidates selected will be initially employed for 4 years. However 25% of them will be asked to stay and complete full 15 years (this will be done on merit) rest 75% will leave.
 
Kaptan said:
All non-officer post will be filled only by Agnipath. Which means the current recruitment process will be scrapped.

There is no option to choose from.

All the Agniveer candidates selected will be initially employed for 4 years. However 25% of them will be asked to stay and complete full 15 years (this will be done on merit) rest 75% will leave.
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Ok but

Is there compulsion in joining Agnipath ? Like do you have a say in whether you want to go or not ? Is it absolutely mandatory if the government picks you to join Agnipath you have to join the military ?
 
Can't understand any benefits these kids between 17-21 will gain by joining the army. Just wasting 4 years then retiring. After that they will be left on their own to join society.
 
Recruiting random people to torture Kashmiris. About par for a state like India.
 
It is strange to see those who want to join Indian army are damaging public properties. These guys are worse than terrorists. Time to run buldozers over their house.
 
Feku is committing same blunder he committed while ushering in farm laws.

No dialogue, no consultation, no deliberations, nothing. Just announce the scheme with a fancy nomenclature and hope pliant Indians will lap it up and won't raise their voice just like they didn't after disastrous demonetization and GST.

He needs to realize this is not his monologue Mann Ki Batt, a one way street in which no one can raise his/her voice.
 
Allies urge Centre to 'rethink' over Agnipath scheme

Another ally of the BJP, former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Thursday suggested a rethink on the Centre's Agnipath scheme, wondering why the government had to make such 'radical' changes.

"It will dilute the long existing distinct ethos of regiments," said Amarinder Singh, who is a former Army captain.

According to a statement, he wondered why the government needed to make such 'radical changes' in the recruitment policy, which has been working 'so well for the country for so many years'.

"Hiring soldiers for four years, with effective service of three years, is not at all militarily a good idea," said Amarinder Singh, whose party Punjab Lok Congress is an ally of the BJP in Punjab.

Amarinder Singh opposed the 'all-India, all class' recruitment policy.

He said different regiments like the Sikh Regiment, Dogra Regiment, Madras Regiment and so on have their own distinct ethos, which is very important from the military point of view and which seems to have been overlooked.

He said it will be very difficult for recruits from different cultural backgrounds to adjust to a culturally different environment that is exclusive to a particular regiment and that too within such a short span of time, which effectively comes to less than three years.

The already existing short duration tenure system of seven and five years is fine, but four years, which once training and leave period are excluded, effectively comes to less than three years, will not be workable, he said.

"It will never be workable for a professional army which is faced with tough challenges on both eastern as well as western theatres," he remarked.

https://www.rediff.com/news/report/allies-urge-centre-to-rethink-over-agnipath-scheme/20220616.htm
 
Even the newly minted sanghi, Amarinder Singh (an ex-serviceman himself) is opposed to this.
 
Yeah it's boiling over across the nation now. Had to be as recruitment has been at a snails pace for Govt jobs in India and then this news comes along. I doubt all of them are candidates just for the Army posts either
 
My father's side is from a community that has a disproportionate contribution to the forces. So I've been able to see things quite up close. It's for this reason that I haven't had any special romance for the Army. Soldiers bear the donkey work and get relatively donkey returns. But if you're an officer (even though decorated and priveleged officers like to call themselves soldiers :)) ), there is no better life to be had. People can talk about war and terrorists and other skirmishes and all, but the probablity of all of that per officer is as high risk as me dying in a car accident. So I've never had any special respect for the Armed Forces - they choose a job and get handsomely rewarded for it. The Air Force though has always held a special place for me but I think this comes from the romance of flying and having been exposed early in life to planes in my city with its 4-year cycle of air shows.

If you wanted to respect the Army, it would make sense if jawans and the low-castes of the forces were given public applause. But any time there is an occasion for it, you only hear about the Major who got killed. So... I remember Om Puri once said something similar about it being just a job and he got badly trolled. He died within a month I recall.

So yeah, in a country where the fraud tea-seller has betrayed his social community and destroyed existing employment opportunies, the one escape route for the lower-castes of the forces, to have some semblance of a life, seems to be fading away - obviously there will be a reaction. But continue demonizing them like anyone else who has been critical of the incompetence of a despot and his followers.
 
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Cash worth Rs 3 lakh looted from a ticket office at Bihiya railway station in Arrah amid protests against #AgnipathScheme We were giving tickets to passengers, suddenly huge crowd pelted stones & set the office ablaze. They looted Rs 3 lakh cash:Ticket-counter Incharge

:bumrah
 
4 years is too short. Like SSC it should be 5 years.

But these rioters are not rioting for that. They want pension after 5 years. Not happening.
 
cricketjoshila said:
4 years is too short. Like SSC it should be 5 years.

But these rioters are not rioting for that. They want pension after 5 years. Not happening.
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Short service commission is initially for 10 years which can be extended by 4 more years.
 
Agnipath: One dead in violent India protests over military hiring

A person has died and 13 others have been injured in India after protests against a new army hiring plan turned violent.

He died when police and protesters clashed in Secunderabad city in the southern state of Telangana on Friday.

Police reportedly opened fire into the crowd but reports said it was not clear if the man died due to a gunshot wound.

Several states have seen huge protests against the plan to hire soldiers on a fixed four-year term.

Protesters say the government's plan to hire temporary soldiers will reduce their chances of getting coveted permanent military jobs, which guarantee fixed salaries and pensions.

Young people in India's smaller towns and villages prepare for years to become soldiers in the armed forces as the job brings prestige, a regular income and for some, a way out of poverty.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61841268
 
As the government desperately tries to assuage protestors and list the benefits of the 'transformational' new recruitment scheme for armed forces, Aginpath, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has backed it and said he didn't anticipate protests like this. Amid widespread violent protests by Army aspirants, the Navy Chief today called it "the single biggest human resources management transformation in the Indian military".

In a video posted by news agency ANI, Admiral Kumar said he worked on the Agnipath scheme for almost a year and a half.

"I was part of the planning team of this scheme and worked on it for a year and a half. It's a transformational scheme. It will transform the armed forces in many ways," he told ANI,

He said the scheme is beneficial for the country and for the youth because it opens up more opportunities. "I think the protests are happening due to misinformation and misunderstanding of the scheme," he added.

Where earlier one person used to get the opportunity to serve in the armed forces, now maybe four people will get it, he said.

Addressing the issue of a shorter duration of service, he said that too has "many benefits" as the Agniveers will get to decide whether they want to pursue the armed forces as a career or take on another job.

A 19-year-old was killed in Telangana's Secunderabad and several others were injured in several states as angry mobs set trains on fire and clashed with police over the new military recruitment policy. The government has defended the scheme, calling it "transformative".

Several states like Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have witnessed violent agitation over the new scheme.

Internet has been suspended in 12 districts in Bihar. The government said that the misuse of social networking sites is likely to be detrimental to the interests of peace in these 12 districts.

At least 12 trains have been set on fire and over 300 others have been affected - 214 cancelled, 11 diverted and 90 did not make it to their destinations - since the protests erupted on Wednesday, according to the Railways.

NDTV
 
Seems like running battles in many Indian states over the Agnipath issue and Nupur Sharma blasphemy. Lrts face it India and its people have always wanted prayed for such things to happen in Pakistan.
 
Romali_rotti said:
Ok but

Is there compulsion in joining Agnipath ? Like do you have a say in whether you want to go or not ? Is it absolutely mandatory if the government picks you to join Agnipath you have to join the military ?
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Ok since no one can answer my post, I take it that Agnipath joining is upto the individual and not the government..
 
Bhaag Viru Bhaag said:
It is strange to see those who want to join Indian army are damaging public properties. These guys are worse than terrorists. Time to run buldozers over their house.
Click to expand...

BJP will have to reveal themselves as closet Caliphate wannabes for that to happen. I think only in Arab countries is strict danda law applied across the board regardless of a person's religion or ideology. Hindutvas are still struggling with the battle for freedom vs control and that is why you have a dump of a country where laws are applied in random fashion.
 
For the past two years, more than 40,000 troops of Indian Army are deployed on 1597-kilometer-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) in East Ladakh at median heights between 10,000-15000 feet facing Chinese PLA, arctic temperatures and howling winds.

As Indian troops are deployed on mountain heights and ridgelines in contrast to Chinese PLA deployed on Tibetan Plateau in this sector, Indian Army will be required to do a troop changeover every three months as the elements and the ever-pressing enemy saps the mental and physical strength of the deployed soldiers.

With China in a wolf warrior mood under eternal leader Xi Jinping, it is quite evident that Indian Army will have to be deployed all along the 3488 km LAC for times to come. Since Indian Army is not expected to cover every square inch of the LAC with a soldier, the answer to the current situation is young and medically fit troops who have the technical capacity to monitor the LAC through surveillance devices rather than be on a 24X7 patrol.

While the figure of Indian troops and officers evacuated from the East Ladakh theatre is classified, fact is that Indian Army must prepare for high attitude deployments on all along the LAC, Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) in Siachen sector and Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan. And for that the answer is younger, fitter, and disciplined army.

The arson in parts of country including Bihar and Telangana after the Modi government announced the “Agnipath” scheme is counter to the very ethos of the Indian military. Arsonists cannot be expected to adhere to Indian army discipline and will run away from the battle-field when faced with Chinese armed drones or barrage of rocket and missile attack in the worst case scenario.

Given the regional security situation, Indian Army will have to be extremely fit, disciplined and courageous to face the Chinese PLA, who have been provided with the best of military infrastructure and logistics near the LAC posts with hyper-baric chambers, bunkers in heated containers and all terrain vehicles.

The ” Agnipath” scheme is not only designed to lower the median age profile of the Indian Army but also to inculcate discipline and nationalism among the Agniveers for a better future ahead with minimum four years of training and technological expertise.

“This is no longer an army that will be deployed in southern command but on mountain heights with low atmospheric pressure and oxygen. For that the only answer is a young jawan who is technology oriented to tackle the PLA all along the LAC,” said a Minister who is part of Cabinet Committee on Security.

A former Army chief with operational track record in the Eastern and Northern Command rubbished the militarization of society theory floated by retired Army officers who also believe that the “Agnipath” scheme will erode the World War I era regimental ethos of the Indian Army.

“ If a commanding officer cannot regiment a jawan in first four months of his training, he is not worth commanding a unit what to talk about four years. For the past decades, we have been talking about compulsory military training in the country but now when the chance has come, we are resorting to arson by burning government property. How can an arsonist become a soldier?”

Over the years we have asked the Indian Army to do Sadhbhawana in operational theatres and Indian Navy and Air Force to do diplomacy with the neighbours through port and airbase visits and exercises. With China rising by the day, Indian military has to be battle-ready at all times as June 15, 2020 Galwan clash was an eye-opener.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...igerent-chinese-army-pla-101655543384260.html
 
Train services have been stopped in Bihar till 8 pm today and will be suspended again at 4 am tomorrow till 8 pm, authorities said as the state continued to reel under the worst outbreak of violence over the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme.
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A railway station and a police vehicle were torched and several law enforcers injured in stone-throwing as protesters tried to enforce a bandh, calling for a rollback of the new scheme for recruitment in the armed forces.

Deadly violence by armed forces aspirants upset with the new programme continued in several states despite new assurances and concessions by the government.

NDTV
 
A top military General who is one of the driving forces behind the new tour of duty 'Agnipath' programme has made it clear there is no place for arsonists in the armed forces. The comment comes amid violent protests by military aspirants in several states over job security concerns at the end of the four-year tour of duty period under the 'Agnipath' scheme.

"We do not stand for arson. These people [protesters] have no place with us. There is not an iota of indiscipline [in the armed forces]," Lieutenant General Anil Puri told NDTV today.

The protests could be a result of bitterness among a small percentage of military aspirants who have been preparing to join the armed forces for the last two years amid the pandemic, and not against the 'Agnipath' programme itself, Lt. General Puri, who is the Additional Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs, told NDTV. General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crash in December last year, headed the Department of Military Affairs.

He said cost-cutting is the last thing the scheme is concerned about, as the first priority is to make the military younger, modern and a more effective force.

"In fact, training Agniveers [those recruited under 'Agnipath] will cost more in the future," Lt. General Puri said, adding the scheme aims to introduce a youthful profile into the military.

"In the times to come, [the average age in the military] will come down to 26 years from 32 years. In six-seven years, we will be at 27 years of age at average," Lt. General Puri said.

The 'Agnipath' scheme aims to lower the average age of personnel in the armed forces.

A key takeaway is that 'Agniveers' would learn new skillsets in the military, which would be advantageous for post-tour of duty roles, the officer said. For example, 'Agniveers' who are Class 10 pass would become eligible for Class 12 certificate once they complete the course. They would also be trained in supply chain management.

"In fact corporate India would be happy to hire Agniveers," Lt. General Puri said. "Industry leaders have told the government, 'you give us discipline, we will do the finishing school', so hiring Agnipath graduates will not be a problem," he said.

The centre has announced several concessions amid the protests. There will be a 10 per cent quota in Defence Ministry jobs, spread across the Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 defence public sector undertakings. This reservation would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen.

On top of all this, the government announced 10 per cent reservation for 'Agniveers' in the Central Armed Police Forces, or CAPFs, and the Assam Rifles, which comes under the Defence Ministry.

Lt. General Puri said the paramilitary and police forces that absorb 'Agniveers' would not need to train them from scratch and only an orientation, hardly for a few weeks, would suffice.

The 'Agnipath' scheme is not open for women in combat roles and there are no plans as of now, the officer told NDTV.

NDTV
 
One of my known who was preparing for army selections for last 2 years is now overage as per this so-called game changer.

No recruitment has been happening in army on the pretext of Covid during last 2 years though all other events especially the recurrent polls are happening with such impunity.

That guy is now feeling cheated and rightly so.
 
Also, you want to cut down on pension bill of armed forces though haven't uttered a word on cutting down bill of lawmakers' pension and other perks' they get for free for no rhyme-o-reason.
 
India expected Pak and China to be trembling in fear over this silly scheme. Instead it has only created an uproar in India where their own people are demanding for this plan to be rolled back. I am surprised the Indian media has not blamed ISI for all the violence and protesting over it. Pak and China couldn't care how old the Indian soldiers are in any future war.
 
"They (youngsters) are on the streets due to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's wrong decision. How many (protesters') homes will be razed by bulldozers? We don't want you to demolish anyone's home," he said.

Mr Owaisi quoted a senior police officer of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, saying that the protesters are like children and need to be counselled.

"I want to ask him, aren't Muslims your children? We are also this country's children. You talk to us, you should have spoken to us last Friday," the Hyderabad MP said.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ami...uddin-owaisi-has-a-bulldozer-question-3080296
 
MP2011 said:
"They (youngsters) are on the streets due to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi's wrong decision. How many (protesters') homes will be razed by bulldozers? We don't want you to demolish anyone's home," he said.

Mr Owaisi quoted a senior police officer of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, saying that the protesters are like children and need to be counselled.

"I want to ask him, aren't Muslims your children? We are also this country's children. You talk to us, you should have spoken to us last Friday," the Hyderabad MP said.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ami...uddin-owaisi-has-a-bulldozer-question-3080296
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Owaisi is exposing the hypocrisy of BJP here. Agnipath protests have been far more worse than what muslims protestors did few days ago.
 
So maybe somebody can clarify this..they are proposing a 4 Yr cycle at the end of which some can continue while others can do something else if they want.

Isn't that a bit of a waste of money in the long term? I mean you train these guys then after four years they can leave. At the same time why would they have that desire and loyalty that someone who wants to go all the way will have?

Also will they be used as cannon fodder at the LOC and LAC?

Will this also allow the army to make cuts elsewhere that we have not heard about yet?

There is a danger that you lose the expertise you have trained after four years..e.g let's say a guy goes into signals..he is trained then after four years leaves to join Google..

Finally would this not militarise society? I mean many of these 4 year guys could go off and join various extremist militant groups in their local area and suddenly you have militarily trained ex soldiers involved in all sorts of stuff e.g crime pogroms etc..
 
the Great Khan said:
So maybe somebody can clarify this..they are proposing a 4 Yr cycle at the end of which some can continue while others can do something else if they want.

Isn't that a bit of a waste of money in the long term? I mean you train these guys then after four years they can leave. At the same time why would they have that desire and loyalty that someone who wants to go all the way will have?

Also will they be used as cannon fodder at the LOC and LAC?

Will this also allow the army to make cuts elsewhere that we have not heard about yet?

There is a danger that you lose the expertise you have trained after four years..e.g let's say a guy goes into signals..he is trained then after four years leaves to join Google..

Finally would this not militarise society? I mean many of these 4 year guys could go off and join various extremist militant groups in their local area and suddenly you have militarily trained ex soldiers involved in all sorts of stuff e.g crime pogroms etc..
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This is how many militaries operate - like US armed forced. Major chunk of enlists are short term. Its beneficial bcoz they don't have to pay pensions and the army stays young. Also a 35 year old enlist with 15 year experience will have much higher salary than a 20 year old. So this plan will recue salary wage bill. With reduced wage bill, the military can focus more on hardware and technology like cyber warfare. Honestly traditionally military is mostly low skill job. Its not an area where u need high level expertise - except for officer cadres who are anyways recruited from military academies. Enlists are just expected to know how to use their weapons and follow orders. That they can learn during their initial 6 month training. Highly unlikely a signals corps guy will ever join Google - his job is only to operate a radio set !

In Indian social context its different - bcoz Army is seen as big source of employment - which will now be gone. That's why big protests happening

Ideally the plan should have been introduced step wise - may be start this scheme for non combat units like Supply Corps, Ordnance corps or medical corps. May be over time you can scale up
 
PakLFC said:
Seems like running battles in many Indian states over the Agnipath issue and Nupur Sharma blasphemy. Lrts face it India and its people have always wanted prayed for such things to happen in Pakistan.
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Outside of social media - most Indians rarely bother about what's happening in Pakistan. U ask 100 people of the streets of Delhi or Mumbai - 90 wont be able to name the current Pakistan PM or President
 
NishanKonar said:
Outside of social media - most Indians rarely bother about what's happening in Pakistan. U ask 100 people of the streets of Delhi or Mumbai - 90 wont be able to name the current Pakistan PM or President
Click to expand...

Thst must be why your govt banned only players from Pakistan from the IPL. The govt voted by your Indian public who all have a vote yes? Now maybe you are going to tell us that the Indian Muslims all voted for Modi as well right? :virat1
 
The last para quoted here is conjecture but a scary prospect.

What explains this tsunami of protest and violence? The immediate reasons are quite obvious: young men who were trying to get recruited as privates are angry that a once-lucrative, prestigious mode of employment has been snatched away from them. Adding to this frustration is the fact that army recruitment had been put on pause for two years before this due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To add to the anxiety of these young men is India’s incredibly alarming employment situation. As we have pointed out on the India Fix earlier, with shrinking mass industry, India’s labour workforce participation rate is shockingly low. In the face of this economic pain, clearly no young man is buying the government’s pitch that soldiers would be able to find well-paying private employment after their four-year service.

However, it’s just not the scheme but also the sudden way it was introduced, with minimal consultation or even a trial period that led to this outburst. That such a massive change in national security was made without any political consultation acts as a signal to protestors that agitations are the only way to make the government listen.

This is, of course, typical of the Modi-led administration: decisions are made in a highly centralised manner with no democratic consensus building or taking stakeholders on board. To really illustrate this, even GD Bakshi, a military veteran who has gained fame loudly defending the BJP on raucous TV debates, (angrily) tweeted out his opposition to Agnipath. The BJP hadn’t even won him over, it seems.

The new scheme could also act as a force multiplier for Hindutva, which depends, at least to some extent, on vigilantism in order to build up political capital. As defence experts have pointed out, the large pool of trained combatants left jobless after four years would be easy pickings for vigilante Hindutva groups, which are given the freedom to operate in BJP-ruled states.
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https://scroll.in/article/1026506/t...olent-protests-against-agnipath-mean-for-modi
 
​BJP Leader Promises Guard's Job To 'Agniveers'; Congress, AAP Hit Back

New Delhi: BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya's offer to hire 'Agniveers' as security guards at the party office in an effort to pacify protesters against the new military recruitment scheme, 'Agnipath', was pummelled by the opposition and also a member of his own party.

The BJP national general secretary had told reporters that young men who have completed the four-year tour of duty under the new scheme would get first preference for security guard jobs at the BJP office.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/arv...eer-bjp-office-security-guard-comment-3081048
 
lol, so this was sanghis' plan for 'Agniveers' all along. And no, this creature isn't a fringe element.

And they say, they are nationalists! They can't even respect the army recruits.
 
I am pretty sure Modi will do another U Turn and withdraw this scheme - just like farm laws and CAA :P :P

For all his loud talk, he comes across as very insecure and spineless in real life
 
So there is no compulsion in joining, so what exactly is Raul Puppu's party rioting and protesting against ?


Can someone enlighten me ?
 
Any chaos in India is great for Pak. I openly support Modi is creating havoc in India, please continue:warner. General Hamid Gul did say Modi will destroy India. Lagge raho:abbas2 Please Mr Modi make more such stupid decisions.
 
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