Agnipath agitation | why are future 'agniveers' protesting?

Protests against Modi govt's new short-term recruitment plan for the armed forces have broken out in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh.

Concerns raised by the youths who aspire to join the defence forces are that a 4-year-service is too short and that they will be unemployed after their tenure ends.

The policy aims at recruitment youths in the age group of 17.5 to 21 years which has led to concerns that lack of college education may make employment difficult.

Many are protesting because the 21 years cap makes them ineligible.

Also, there is no provision for pension of those who are not selected to continue in the armed forces after their 4 years services is completed.

Seeking to assauge concerns about unemployment, the government has announced a raft of post-retirement employment possibilities for 'Agniveers' like priority in recruitment to the central paramilitary forces and Assam Rifles

The chief ministers of BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh, Assam and Haryana also promised preference to retired Agniveers in recruitment to state police forces.

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