As the BJP-led government faces criticism over the Agnipath scheme, several BJP-ruled states are stepping up to support it by offering job reservations for Agniveers (those who have served under the scheme) in state jobs.
Support from BJP-ruled States
मुख्यमंत्री श्री भजनलाल शर्मा ने कहा कि प्रधानमंत्री श्री नरेन्द्र मोदी की दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति से देश की सेना को सशक्त बनाने का संकल्प अग्निपथ योजना के माध्यम से पूर्ण हो रहा है। उन्होंने कहा कि राजस्थान सरकार भी अग्निवीरों हेतु राज्य के पुलिस विभाग, जेल प्रहरी व वन रक्षक भर्ती में… pic.twitter.com/YuWrWcqFhK
— CMO Rajasthan (@RajCMO) July 27, 2024
Several states have announced reservations for Agniveers. Rajasthan will provide job reservations for Agniveers in the state police, jail guard, and forest guard positions. However, the exact percentage of reservation was not disclosed. Arunachal Pradesh will offer training to local youths for recruitment under Agnipath and give retired Agniveers preference in the state’s police, emergency, and fire services.
The Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh will facilitate training for local youths to prepare them for recruitment as Agniveers under the AGNIPATH Scheme.
Additionally, retired Agniveers from Arunachal Pradesh will be given preference in recruitment for the Arunachal Pradesh Police, AP… pic.twitter.com/yMmi5g8BMI
— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) July 26, 2024
Other States Announce Similar Measures
Earlier, BJP-led states such as Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha also announced reservations for Agniveers.
– Uttar Pradesh: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that Agniveers will get priority for jobs in the police service and the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC).
अग्निवीर जब अपनी सेवा के बाद वापस आएंगे, उत्तर प्रदेश सरकार पुलिस सेवा में, पीएसी में इन नौजवानों को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर समायोजन की सुविधा देगी।
उनके लिए एक निश्चित आरक्षण की सुविधा उत्तर प्रदेश पुलिस में उपलब्ध कराएंगे… pic.twitter.com/7T5VorcpVa
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) July 26, 2024
– Madhya Pradesh: Chief Minister Mohan Yadav revealed that his government would provide reservations for Agniveers in police and armed forces recruitment.
आज कारगिल दिवस के अवसर पर हमारी सरकार ने निर्णय किया है कि यशस्वी प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी की मंशानुसार अग्निवीर जवानों को पुलिस एवं सशस्त्र बलों की भर्ती में आरक्षण दिया जाएगा। #KargilVijayDiwas#DrMohanYadav #CMMadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/HSrT2Qkyvg
— Dr Mohan Yadav (@DrMohanYadav51) July 26, 2024
– Uttarakhand: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami pledged to create provisions for Agniveers in government services, emphasizing the use of their skills and discipline.
आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री जी आपकी दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति से ही देश की सेना को सशक्त बनाने का संकल्प अग्निपथ योजना के माध्यम से पूर्ण हो रहा है। आपके कुशल नेतृत्व में केंद्र सरकार द्वारा सदैव राष्ट्र प्रथम की भावना से निर्णय लिए गए हैं और अग्निपथ योजना इसका प्रमुख उदाहरण है।
प्रदेश सरकार भी… https://t.co/Zaxy4QHHfa
— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) July 26, 2024
– Odisha: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a 10% quota and a five-year age relaxation for Agniveers in uniformed services.
Haryana has also joined in, offering 10% reservation for Agniveers in various state positions.
Central Government’s Support
The Home Ministry has announced a 10% reservation and a three-year age relaxation for Agniveers in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed these changes, adding that the first batch of Agniveers would receive a five-year age relaxation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) decides to reserve 10% vacancies for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.
— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) June 18, 2022
Opposition Criticism
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has vowed to cancel the Agnipath scheme within 24 hours if his party comes to power. He criticized the scheme for compromising national security and the future of soldiers.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also criticized the scheme, arguing that it undermines the quality of military training by allowing soldiers to serve for only 3-4 years after just six months of training.
सत्ता में आते ही 24 घंटे में रद्द होगी, देश के सुरक्षा से समझौता करनेवाली और सैनिकों के भविष्य से खिलवाड़ करनेवाली अल्पकालिक ‘अग्निवीर’ सैन्य भर्ती।
‘अग्निवीर’ पर यही माँग हमारी
पुरानी भर्ती की फिर हो बहाली pic.twitter.com/UiETODhWiH— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) July 27, 2024
PM Modi’s Defense
Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the Agnipath scheme during the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations, describing it as a necessary reform to keep the military youthful and fit for war. He dismissed claims that the scheme was designed to cut pension costs and emphasized that the goal is to address the aging issue within the Indian armed forces.
#WATCH | On the Agnipath scheme, PM Narendra Modi says, “I don’t know what has happened to the thinking of some people. They are spreading the misconception that the government has come up with this scheme to save pension money… For today’s recruits, the question of pension… pic.twitter.com/vnEWy2YhDC
— ANI (@ANI) July 26, 2024
