Amid widespread protests over the new military recruitment scheme ‘Agnipath’, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval said that manpower reorganisation is a step towards modernisation of the armed forces, and added that the country needs a young, fit and agile army.
Speaking to news agency ANI, the NSA said that modernising, upgrading and updating Army is the government’s priority.
“There is a need to look at it (Agnipath) in a perspective. Agnipath is not a standalone scheme in itself. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, one of his prime priorities was how to make India secure and strong. That required many avenues, many steps – multitude of them,” he said.
“Broadly speaking, they come under the four heads. It requires equipment, it requires a change in systems and structures, it requires a change in technology, it requires a change in manpower, policies and they have to be futuristic,” he added.
The NSA sought to allay apprehensions over the scheme and said that the future of Agniveers is safe and they need not worry about a future after completing the four-year term.
“They will be young. They will have certifications and skills. They will have money which they can invest…My message to the youth who want to become Agniveers is that be positive, have faith in the nation, have faith in the leadership and also in yourself,” he added.
“Every youth of this country who has got the desire and motivation and feels a sense of commitment to defend the country gets an opportunity. His energy and talent are used to make this country strong,” he added.
The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youths between the age bracket of 17-and-a-half-years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years. Protests have erupted in several states against the scheme.
Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment in 2022.
Several states across the country have been witnessing violent protests since the scheme was announced by the Centre, with youth hitting the streets, torching vehicles and trains and blocking and damaging railway tracks to express their dissatisfaction.
No question of rollback of scheme: NSA
Asked if the recruitment plan could be withdrawn in view of the ongoing protests, Doval said there is no question of rollback, adding that the scheme has been debated and discussed for decades.
Speaking on protests against the scheme, the NSA said, “I think that the protests, raising your voice is justified and is permitted in a democracy. But this vandalism, this violence is not permitted and will not be tolerated at all.”
He further said that misinformation is being circulated regarding the future of Agniveers, adding that this is either by chance or done deliberately.
Doval also made it clear that nobody is tinkering with the concept of regiments and that the regimental system will continue.
“Agniveers will never constitute the whole army. Those Agniveers who become regulars eventually will undergo intensive training and acquire experience over a period of time.”
The NSA also said that security is a dynamic concept and it cannot remain static. “It is only in relation with the environment in which we have to protect our national interest and national assets.”
“The whole war is undergoing a great change. We are going toward contactless wars, and also going towards the war against the invisible enemy. Technology is taking over at a rapid pace. If we have to prepare for tomorrow, then we have to change,” he said.
