Google News India - Explaining the Agniveer controversy

4/7/2024

Explaining the Agniveer controversy: From Rahul Gandhi's assertion to the Army's reaction

 

What is the Agniveer plan, and how has the passing of Ajay Kumar renewed discussion over the contentious army recruitment programme?

 

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, made additional charges against the Agniveer scheme in the Lok Sabha, which prompted the Indian Army to issue an explanation on the maThe scheme has been the focus of fierce debate since 2022, with many protests demanding that the government scrap the initiative.

 

See the Agniveer plan, its detractors, and the most recent discussion.

 

 

 

What is Agniveer strategy in detail?

 

 

 

Under the June 2022 announcement of the Agniveer or Agnipath plan, personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force are offered a four-year contract with a 25 percent retention provision for an additional 15 years.Temporary assistance: It enlists youth for four-year stints of service in the Indian Army, Navy,

and Air Force.

 

Eligibility: Young adults between the ages of 17.5 and 21 make up the program's target demographic.

 

 

 

Employment and training: Recruits in the armed forces serve in a variety of positions following the completion of lengthy training.

 

 

benefits: Agniveers receive a cash package consisting of benefits and a lump sum payment upon completion of their service.Additionally, they get experience and knowledge that will help them in the future when they apply for jobs.

 

Permanent enrollment: A specific percentage of Agniveer may be integrated into the regular armed forces, contingent on their performance and military requirements.Pension and gratuity: Agniveer are not eligible for a pension, in contrast to traditional recruitment, although they do receive a sizeable severance package upon leaving the company.

Why do many object to the Agniveer plan?

Since its inception, the programme has faced harsh criticism from many who believe that enrolling in it puts more people's futures at risk than it does for them. in particular because the programme that existed before Agniveer offered a 15-year enrollment window.

 

Critics contend that recruits are left wondering about their future after their four-year service obligation because the tenure does not offer them long-term job security. Agniveer also do not receive pensions, which is viewed as a significant disadvantage for people looking for stable employment and long-term financial security.

 

Concerns have also been raised over the restricted use of the knowledge and training acquired during the four-year term in civilian employment, which may not be equivalent to the degree of training offered by the military forces. This might also affect their chances of landing a long-term job, both inside and outside the military.

 

The strategy may negatively impact troops' morale because of their temporary service, worse perks, and less prospects for career growth compared to regular military personnel. Some defence experts are concerned about how a short-term service model may affect the general effectiveness and professionalism of the armed services.

 

This could potentially make the issue of youth unemployment worse by bringing a significant number of people back into the workforce each year once their four-year term expires.

Agniveer protests and opposition ruckus

In Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other states, there were extensive demonstrations after the Agniveer programme was announced in June 2022.

 

Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal are among the opposition politicians who have condemned the plan, believing it will undermine the will of the forces and put many young people's futures at danger. They insist that the administration abandon the plan.

 

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the plan also became into a crucial political issue.

Agniveer Ajay: who was he?

A land mine explosion in Jammu and Kashmir on January 18 claimed the life of 23-year-old Agniveer Ajay Kumar. Congressman Rahul Gandhi ignited controversy on Wednesday by accusing Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of lying about the Rs 1 crore settlement, following his death.

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh interrupted Rahul Gandhi's speech during the Lok Sabha Motion of Thanks to the President's address to announce that the government pays compensation to the families of Agniveer who died while performing their duties. The settlement amounts to Rs 1 crore.

 

 

In response to the defence minister's assertions, Rahul Gandhi said, "Agniveer know the truth, but Rajnath Singh and I have an opinion." Agnivers are aware of their circumstances.

Rahul Gandhi claims the Defence Ministry is dishonest.

In response to Singh's statement, Rahul Gandhi used Kumar's father's allegation that he was not paid to demand an apologies from the Defence Minister in a video that he shared on his X (previously Twitter) account.

He declared that Rajnath Singh's statements regarding the Rs 1 crore compensation were a "lie" to the Parliament.

 

 

Gandhi responded, saying, "Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lied to the nation, its armed forces, and Agniveers about compensation before Lord Shiva's photo was taken."

"The BJP is insulting the sacrifice of the families who gave up their sons for the country by telling lies," said Rinka Gandhi Vadra, who reshared Rahul Gandhi's video. Does this represent BJP nationalism? The public should get an apology from the prime minister for misleading the nation and demeaning the martyrs.

The reply from the Defence Minister to Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi's assertions were disputed by Rajnath Singh, who urged Gandhi not to "mislead Parliament.

 

Singh emphasised that the Agnipath programme, which hires young people for a four-year term with a 25 percent possibility of extension, is comparable to recruitment campaigns in the US and the UK. He underlined that extensive consultations were held prior to the scheme's implementation.

 

According to the Indian Army, Agniveer Ajay was given Rs 98.39 lakh.

The Indian Army confirmed in a post on X that Ajay Kumar's family has already received Rs 98.39 lakh of the Rs 1.65 crore that is owed. After the necessary police verification and final account settlement, the remaining Rs 67 lakh would be paid.

 

Social media posts have revealed that the family of Agniveer Kumar, who died while performing his duty, has not received any compensation. The Indian Army expresses its gratitude for Agniveer Ajay Kumar's selfless sacrifice. The final ceremonies were performed with full military honours. The family of Agniveer Ajay has already received Rs 98.39 lakh of the total sum owed, according to the Army.

 

The Army stressed that it would honour the troops' contributions and make sure their next of kin received their emoluments on schedule. The Army declared, "The approximate total amount will be Rs 1.65 cr.

 

It is once again underlined that emoluments owed to the surviving relatives of slain soldiers, including ancestors, must be paid promptly.

 

Comparing insurance and compensation

Netizens asserted shortly after the Army clarified its position that the family's payment was an insurance payout rather than "compensation" from the government.

One X user broke down the Rs 98.39 lakh as follows: "Rs 50 lakhs paid by the SBI as Claim towards Group Insurance payable to all SBI Govt Salary Account holders and 48 lakhs from Army Gp Insurance."

Commenters debated whether insurance payouts ought to be regarded as government compensation.

 

Netizens also questioned why the father of the Agniveer family would say they didn't have any funding from the government. This difference between insurance payout and compensation could help to explain the inconsistent statements made by politicians on social media and in the Lok Sabha.

 

"In my view, Govt must never include insurance claims paid as death compensation to any soldier," remarked the same individual.

"Equal work but not equally paid," said a retired Army commander who posted a picture of the coverage plans and benefits between an annexed and a sepoy. Particularly when the risk is equal."