KALABURAGI: Rajya Sabha Leader Mallikarjun Kharge has slammed the union government for introducing the Agnipath scheme for armed forces recruitment, and has announced that the party will launch an agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday.

"No soldier will be well trained if aspirants to the armed forces are given four years of training and then forced to retire," Kharge said here on Saturday.

"Recruiting soldiers for the armed forces on the basis of contract and daily wages is not fair," he said. Candidates require more time to learn about security forces. How is it possible for them to be asked to leave the force after only four years? Kharge questioned. "The Congress will launch a protest against the Agnipath scheme at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Sunday," he said.

"Those who want to join the army are willing to die for their country with no expectations. Will it be beneficial if they are treated as contract workers? They would pay tuition centres a high fee for the training. They will not be able to recoup the funds in four years. The youth will never accept this scheme "he said.

There should be no politics in this situation. By introducing such a scheme, they (the BJP) are provoking youth, and protests are turning violent, he said.

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