A political fight sparked over allegations by some Opp. leaders that #AgnipathScheme selections are made looking at caste and religion.
Some Opposition party leaders expressed shock that for the first time in the history of India, caste and religion are being asked during the army recruitment Agnipath Scheme.
Congress MP Shri Deepender S Hooda moved an adjournment motion in the Rajya Sabha demanding a discussion on the Agnipath Scheme.
YSR @ysathishreddy tweeted, “#ModiGovt now wants to know the Caste & Religion from the applicants of #AgnipathScheme. This is happening for the first time with #IndianArmy!
#ModiGovt now wants to know the Caste & Religion from the applicants of #AgnipathScheme. This is happening for the first time with #IndianArmy! @KTRTRS pic.twitter.com/ckNeta8Vbe
— YSR (@ysathishreddy) July 18, 2022
RJD MP Mr @manojkjhadu moves adjournment motion in Rajya Sabha seeking discussion on #AgnipathScheme pic.twitter.com/sV2etZG67Z
— Supriya Bhardwaj (@Supriya23bh) July 19, 2022
AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted, “Do you want to make Agniveer or Jaativeer? “The ugly face of the Modi government has come in front of the country. “Does Modi ji not consider Dalits, backward, tribals to be eligible for army recruitment? For the first time in the history of India, caste is being asked in army recruitment. Modi ji, do you want to make Agniveer or Jaativeer?” Sanjay Singh said.
BJP’s estranged MP Varun Gandhi also wondered if patriotism would be decided “on the basis of caste”.
The BJP slammed them, claiming that the Army did not discriminate on the basis of caste or religion. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said the practice had been followed for decades and pertained to administrative and operational issues. “If a soldier is martyred, it should be known how to conduct his last rites,” he said, accusing the Opposition of trying to incite youth and bring them on to the streets.
He went on to say that the Army, in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in 2013, had made it clear that it did not recruit on the basis of caste, region, and religion. “It, however, justified grouping of people coming from a region in a regiment for administrative convenience and operational requirements,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also called it a rumor, asserting that no change had been made in the recruitment system. “The system existing since the pre-Independence era is going on. No change has been made,” Rajnath said on the allegations that caste and religion certificates were now being asked for the Agnipath scheme.
Officials said the requirement for the aspirants to submit caste certificates and, if required, religion certificates, was always there. Besides, recruitment in the Army in non-commissioned ranks is also on basis of caste and religion for specific caste-based regiments. “For example, Sikh regiment is pure Sikh, Jat is pure Jat; similarly for Gurkha, Rajput, Sikh Li, Maratha Li, and Mahar regiments,” they said. Sikh Li, Maratha Li, and Mahar regiments are SC/ST regiments. Claiming that it is for the first time in the history of India that caste is being asked in the Army recruitment,
In yet another controversy surrounding the #Agnipath Scheme, the Opposition parties said that BJP is trying to create 'Jaativeers' using Agniveers as they claimed that caste and religion certificates are now being asked for Agniveer recruitment.https://t.co/VAG4iK4jEQ
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) July 19, 2022
However, the Opposition is unconvinced and anger is running high again. It is believed contractualisation of the armed forces will adversely affect national security and A. A. Rahim of the CPIM tweeted, “Gave notice as per rule 267 to suspend business of the house & discuss Agnipath scheme. Contractualisation of the armed forces will adversely affect national security. Union Govt. must immediately withdraw.”
Gave notice as per rule 267 to suspend business of the house & discuss Agnipath scheme. Contractualisation of the armed forces will adversely affect national security. Union Govt. must immediately withdraw the #AgnipathScheme and the house must take up the matter.
— A A Rahim (@AARahimdyfi) July 19, 2022