With the government standing firm on the 'Agnipath' military recruitment scheme, some organizations have called for a 'Bharat Bandh' on Monday, amid ongoing protests calling for the plan to be scrapped.
Here Are the Top 10 Updates on Agnipath Protest-Bharat Bandh
Over 500 trains were canceled today as a result of the Bharat Bandh call in parts of the country in protest of the central government's 'Agnipath' short-term recruitment plan for the armed forces. The railways have suffered significant property damage as a result of arson and rioting by protesters over the last five days.
As the police tightened security across the city and its surrounding areas, parts of Delhi experienced traffic jams. Massive traffic jams were reported on the Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway as well as the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. The police have threatened to take harsh action against anyone who attempts to disrupt the law-and-order situation.
Congress leaders sat on a 'Satyagraha' at the national capital's Jantar Mantar to express solidarity with armed forces aspirants protesting the 'Agnipath' scheme. Some Youth Congress members were detained after stopping a train near Connaught Place at the Shivaji Bridge railway station.
A group of armed forces aspirants in Fatehabad blocked the Lal Batti Chowk, while others protested on roads in Rohtak district. To avoid any untoward incidents, security has been increased at several locations in Kerala, Telangana, West Bengal, and Rajasthan. Prohibitory orders have been issued in Faridabad and Noida prohibiting gatherings of four or more people.
The Uttar Pradesh Police have stated that those found to be involved in endangering the peace will face severe punishment. The police in Punjab have been asked to monitor the activities of social media groups that are allegedly mobilizing or disseminating information about the scheme.
The Bihar government has increased security at vulnerable party offices. Internet access is currently unavailable in 20 districts. All schools in Jharkhand will be closed today due to protests against the 'Agnipath' scheme.
The military's three services released a broad schedule of enrolment under the 'Agnipath' scheme on Sunday, warning those who have engaged in violence and arson will not be inducted.
The Home and Defence Ministries promised new 10% quotas in jobs for 'Agnipath' recruits after their four-year service in the armed forces on Saturday.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the PSUs under his housing and petroleum ministries are also planning to hire 'Agniveers.'
The Home Ministry has also decided to grant Agniveers three years of age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit for recruitment into the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles. Previously, the Centre raised the upper age limit for recruitment to 23 years in 2022 as a one-time measure to appease protesters.
Since Wednesday, protests have erupted in several states against the Centre's Agnipath scheme, which calls for the recruitment of soldiers aged 17.5 to 21 years into the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for the majority without gratuity or pension benefits.
