Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav announced on Saturday that his party would cancel the Agnipath scheme within 24 hours if they come to power. This statement came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared reservations for retired Agniveers in state recruitment.
The INDIA bloc, which includes the Samajwadi Party, had pledged during the Lok Sabha election campaigns to abolish the short-term military recruitment scheme. Yadav reiterated his commitment on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “As soon as we come to power, the short-term ‘Agniveer’ military recruitment that compromises the security of the country and plays with the future of the soldiers will be cancelled within 24 hours.” He emphasized the need to reinstate the old recruitment model.
On Friday, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced that the Uttar Pradesh government would provide additional weightage to Agniveers returning from service for recruitment in the police and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC).
Background of the Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath scheme, introduced by the Central Government in 2022, is designed as a short-term recruitment policy for youths aged between 17-and-a-half and 21. This scheme targets the Army, Navy, and Air Force, offering a four-year contractual service period. Recruits under this scheme are referred to as Agniveers. Upon completing their four-year service, 25 percent of each batch is eligible for regular service.
In addition to Uttar Pradesh’s announcement, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had previously declared that 10 percent of vacancies in the Central Armed Police Forces and paramilitary forces would be reserved for ex-Agniveers. Several state governments have also made similar declarations to recruit retired Agniveers into their respective police forces.
Political Reactions
Yadav’s announcement underscores the political divide over the Agnipath scheme. While the current administration and several state governments have integrated policies to support Agniveers post-service, the opposition, particularly the INDIA bloc, criticizes the scheme for its short-term nature and its potential impact on national security and the future of the soldiers.
As the political landscape heats up, the stance on the Agnipath scheme is likely to be a significant issue in the upcoming elections, with parties like the Samajwadi Party making it a focal point of their campaign
