Live Updates on the Agnipath Scheme Protests: Protests against the government's 'Agnipath' army recruitment scheme continued on Monday. Several state governments beefed up security in response to the armed forces aspirants' 'Bharat Bandh' call.
Massive protests erupted last week after the Union government announced the contentious Agnipath scheme to recruit youth for the Armed Forces' three services. Army aspirants have been protesting some of its conditions in 11 states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Assam.
The conflict escalated as protests in some states turned violent. Protesters set fire to trains, vandalised public and police vehicles, and injured security personnel. They want the scheme to be scrapped, which the government denies. The Centre has also defended the scheme, stating that recruits, or 'Agniveers,' who retire after four years will be given financial assistance. In response to protesters' concerns, the government has raised the maximum age from 21 to 23.
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