Youth protests against Agnipath scheme in many cities of Rajasthan

Hundreds of youth preparing for recruitment in the armed forces took to the streets in Jaipur, Sikar, Jodhpur, Alwar, Ajmer, among other parts of Rajasthan. The police had to use force to control the agitation in some places. In Jaipur and Jodhpur, protestors reached the Collectorate and also blocked the highway under Jaipur’s Kalwar police station.

Rajasthan is a big centre of army recruitment and hundreds of youth take part in recruitment rallies, which were suspended for the last two years owing to the Covid pandemic. Over one lakh aspirants awaiting this year’s recruitment are miffed with the short-term Agnipath plan. Demanding regular recruitment, protesters said they feel cheated by this scheme.

The regional Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, also an ally of the NDA at the Centre, led some of the protests across the state. “The scheme is not good for the army and thousands of aspiring youth waiting for recruitments for the last two years. We are against it, too, and will continue our protest,” said Hanuman Beniwal, the convener and party MP; the party has also demanded relaxation of two years in the normal eligibility process. He said the RLP is a party of jawans (soldiers) and kisans (farmers) so they are holding the protest at the district headquarters.