New Delhi: The Central Government’s Agnipath scheme has set the country alight, as the fire of protest has spread to most of the states. Amidst the uproar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tried to put up a brave face on behalf of the government on Friday.
He said that recruitment to the armed forces under the Agnipath scheme would soon begin, but that has failed to douse the flames of anger among the youth. He also appealed to the youth of the country to prepare for that. As the protesters have resorted to violence in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharnkhand, Hyderabad and other places, the Congress demanded complete rollback of the scheme. It is neither in the interest of the country nor in the interest of its its security, the party said.
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The Centre has, however, said that it would not withdraw the scheme. The government has raised the age for recruitment to 23 years. He also urged the protesters to keep away from violence and appealed to the government to tender an apology to the youth.
He said, “The government should immediately take back the Agnipath scheme. It is neither in favour of national security nor national interests and certainly not in favour of the country’s youth,”
