Young people in India have burned tires, vandalized buses and disrupted rail and road traffic in response to a new army recruitment program that requires time for a guaranteed job for life.
Protests took place in Rajasthan, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh following the announcement on Tuesday of the Agnipath (“fire road”) plan, which aims to recruit 17- to 21-year-olds with four-year contracts.
Once the contract is completed, 25% of the proposed 45,000 recruits will be allowed to stay, and the rest will have to leave. Those who do not meet the requirements to continue their military career will receive a lump sum of Rs 1.2 million (about £ 12,000) instead of a pension or benefits.
The announcement surprised young rural people who have become accustomed to the idea of joining the army for job security, stable income and social status.
The protests have been fueled by rising unemployment and inflation.
There have been no army recruits during the pandemic and young Indians have been eagerly waiting for it to resume.
“What should I do after four years? What use will the training I have as a soldier serve me as a civilian?” a young man from Patna, Bihar, asked reporters.
Under the old system, those who passed the entrance exams were selected for a minimum of 15 years of service, and would receive a pension when they retire.
Protests began in Bihar on Wednesday and spread to other states on Thursday. A train was set on fire in Bihar and police had to use tear gas at several railway stations to disperse the crowd throwing stones at them.
The government says the plan will give the military a permanently younger profile, reduce its pension and salary bill, and free up funds to buy more technology.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted: “Agnipath … is a truly transformative reform that will enhance the combat potential of the armed forces, with a younger profile and technologically expert soldiers.”
Speaking during the announcement in Delhi on Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Anil Puri said the scheme would instill confidence and skills. After four years in the military, he said, an Agnipath recruit would have a unique resume to help them “stand out from the crowd.”
However, a retired army officer who did not want to be appointed said he thought the plan was not advisable. “The least the government can do is extend the four years of service to seven and increase from 25 to 50% the number of those who should be allowed to continue serving once the contract is over.”