Protests New Military Recruitment Scheme: Indian Government Remains Defending, Citizens Can Hold National Protests

JAKARTA - Indian authorities stepped up security and issued ban orders in several states on Monday, after opponents of a new military recruitment scheme called for a nationwide strike.

This follows days of violent protests against the policy, which changes the conditions of service for recruits.

Hopes for a 'Bharat Bandh', as the national strike locally is called, have risen after the head of the armed forces on Sunday defended the Agnipath, 'road of fire' scheme, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and said the recruitment process would start soon.

Prospective recruits were outraged, because Agnipath limited the tenure for non-commissioned ranks to four years, after which only a quarter was retained. The remainder is dismissed with a one-time payment but no pension or other benefits.

The scheme also introduces a new age limit of 21 — the age many recruits have already passed because admissions were suspended for two years due to the pandemic, reports The National News on June 20.

Protests erupted in 10 states after the plan came to light last week. At least one person was killed in clashes with police and dozens more were injured. Train carriages and vehicles were set ablaze in the riots.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 people have been arrested over protests in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the two states that have the highest unemployment rates and send the most troops into the army.

A total of 150 people linked to a training center for defense recruitment checks have been arrested for allegedly inciting protests. Apart from that, the Modi Government has also banned 35 WhatsApp groups, accusing them of spreading rumors and spreading fake news about the scheme.

The government relaxed some hiring rules and announced incentives to appease protesters, but refused to scrap the scheme, saying it was a "transformative" and "revolutionary" step taken after broad consultations.

Interior Minister Ajay Kumar Bhalla chaired a meeting with police and top state officials at the weekend, amid calls for a nationwide strike on Monday.

In the southern state of Kerala, security forces are dispatched to arrest anyone involved in the violence and destruction of public property.

Authorities in the eastern state of Jharkhand closed schools and suspended exams, while police in the northern state of Haryana warned that "antisocial" activities would be recorded to identify those taking part.

Not only that, farmers in Haryana said they would block the main highway in Haryana in protest.

Separately, opposition parties likened Agnipath's policies to a controversial agriculture law introduced by PM Modi's government in 2020, without consulting farmers and agricultural experts. The law was repealed after a year of protests by farmers.

Hundreds of thousands of workers from the main opposition Congress party plan to hold a peaceful protest on Monday and meet President Ram Nath Kovind to demand the withdrawal of the scheme.

"The scheme has to be discussed first with the youth and parliament, but before that, it has to be withdrawn", said Ajay Maken, a Congress leader.

PM Modi's government said the new age limit for recruitment would give the armed forces a youthful profile. The government plans to recruit 46,000 military personnel this year.

Military service is traditionally considered a lifelong career in India, where government jobs are preferred for their stability and benefits. Meanwhile, India's unemployment rate has touched a four-decade high even before the pandemic.