Agnipath scheme: Congress launches Satyagraha, BJP responds

The recruitment process in the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Agnipath scheme has already begun with 56,960 applications received so far.

Meanwhile, the activists of Odisha Congress on Monday staged demonstrations against the Agnipath scheme which was unveiled by the Centre on June 14.

The Congress party activists staged ‘satyagraha’ in Bhubaneswar and Jajpur. The leaders took a dig at both the BJP-led government at the Centre and Odisha government for coming up with contractual jobs instead of filling up vacant posts. As a result, the unemployed youths are not getting adequate jobs, alleged the Congress which is opposing the the short-term defence recruitment policy.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised 2 crore jobs every year. Every time before elections, he comes up with another ‘jumla’ for youths. This time it is a 4-year- contractual job,” said Biswajit Das, Bhubaneswar Congress District President.

Das said that today the Congress is staging ‘Satyagraha’ across Odisha and the party will intensify protests if the Centre doesn’t roll back the Agnipath scheme.

Responding to Congress’ jibe, senior BJP leader Prithviraj Harchandan said, “Congress has turned into a China-agent today. Whenever Pakistan mocks or says anything against India, Congress leadership joins them. Congress as a national party is loosing its importance. No political party has democratic right to stop anybody who wants to become Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme.”