Insult of the army, cheating with the youth, the decision on ‘Agneepath scheme’ is full of unwise… Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s big attack

Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday demanded immediate withdrawal of the Centre’s Agneepath scheme. Bhagwant Mann called the Centre’s decision an insult to the army and harmful to the youth of the state. Amidst protests in the state for the third day against the scheme, Mann said in a tweet in Hindi that after stopping recruitment in the army for two years, the center has a new order that four years stay in the army and then pension will not be available. Demanding immediate withdrawal of the scheme, he said that it is an insult to the army. This is also a betrayal with the youth of the country.

According to an official statement, the chief minister alleged that the central government was running the country in a haphazard manner without caring for the youth. Referring to the agitation against the withdrawn agricultural laws, he said that after the farmers, this move is a serious attack on the youth. He said that it is a great loss for the Punjabi youth who are always ready to serve their motherland by joining the army.

Foolish decision boiled the country: Mann
Mann said that this mindless decision has brought the country to a boil as youth have come out on the streets to protest this irresponsible move of the Centre. Talking to reporters during a roadshow ahead of the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-election, Mann said that forces cannot be hired. How can you say that when you are 17, go for training and come back, retire at 21, and become an ex-serviceman at 21.

Protest in Punjab against Agneepath scheme
Mann said that politicians never retire and if it is a good plan, sons of BJP leaders should join the army and come back after four years. Meanwhile, youth aspiring to join the army demonstrated in Hoshiarpur demanding the withdrawal of the Agneepath scheme. Protests have been taking place in several states since Wednesday over Agneepath, the Centre’s new scheme for recruitment in the Army, Navy and Air Force for a period of four years. The scheme envisages compulsory retirement for most of the soldiers after serving for four years without gratuity and pension benefits.

‘Dreams broke with plan’
Under the Agneepath scheme, the youth recruited in the army will be known as ‘Agniveer’. After four years of service, 25% of the youth of each batch will be offered regular service. Youth from Chohal and nearby villages held placards with slogans against the scheme during the protest. The protesting youth told the media that they had been working hard for the past several years to join the army. He said that his dreams have been shattered by this plan. They warned that they would intensify their struggle if the Center did not withdraw the scheme. He also submitted a memorandum to Sandeep Kumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Hoshiarpur.