New Delhi, February 27, 2024: Stepping up its opposition to the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, the Congress party has stated that it will revert to the previous enrollment system if elected to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, in his letter to President Droupadi Murmu, highlighted the ‘injustice’ done to youths aspiring for regular armed forces jobs.
Several Congress leaders addressed a press meeting affirming their stand against the temporary 4-year tenure model adopted in 2022. They cited a lack of demand analysis, absence of stakeholder consultations, and irregular induction of candidates selected through earlier processes as key drawbacks.
As per former COAS Gen Naravane’s observations, Agnipath came as a ‘bolt from the blue’ shocking the forces. Congress alleges nearly 2 lakh candidates are in limbo with scrapped ongoing selection procedures. If recruits are only to guard BJP offices post-service as jibed by Kailash Vijayvargiya, the patriotic youths’ aspirations remain unfulfilled.
Congress seeks justice for qualified candidates from earlier recruitment drives who await job letters. The party feels compromising the armed forces’ rigorous selection process dents their strength and valor. It reminds us that reversals of myopic policies like farm laws set poor precedents globally about India’s reliability.
By approaching the President as supreme forces commander on record about Agnipath rollbacks, Congress formally conveys its dissent. Critics worldwide argue temporary recruits lacking pension/benefits damage morale and operational capabilities over time.
With unemployment already high, such short-gig roles may compound socio-economic strains if left unaddressed. Congress hopes proactive political, judicial, or presidential interventions will impart course corrections regarding force welfare and national security priorities.
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