Farmers’ group Samyukta Kisan Morcha announces protest against ‘Agnipath’: All you need to know

Farmers’ collective Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) will hold a nationwide protest against the Centre’s Agnipath military recruitment scheme on June 24.

The decision, which was announced by farmer leader Rakesh Tikait, was taken during a meeting of the coordination committee of SKM in Karnal.

Tikait urged the support of youths, civil society and political parties for the demonstrations on Friday.

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“Samyukta Kisan Morcha protests against Agnipath scheme to be held at district and tehsil headquarters across the country on June 24 by decision of SKM Coordination Committee in Karnal.”

“Appeal to mobilise youth, citizen organizations and parties. Now BKU’s (Bharatiya Kisan Union’s) planned protest for June 30 will also take place on June 24,” Tikait, the national spokesperson of BKU, tweeted in Hindi.

Lieutenant General Anil Puri, additional secretary, department of military affairs, said Sunday that those participating in protests will not be able be a part of the scheme. Aspirants will have to give a written pledge they did not participate in violence against the plan.

“The Indian Army’s foundation lies in discipline. There’s no space for arson or vandalism. Every individual will have to give a certificate they were not part of protests or vandalism. Police verification is mandatory, no one can join without it,” Puri said.

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Lt General Puri further said, “If any FIR is lodged against any of the candidates, they cannot join. There’s no place for indiscipline in the armed forces. All candidates will have to give a written pledge they did not indulge in any arson or violence.”

Protests against Agnipath first started in Bihar on Wednesday, just a day after the scheme was rolled out. On Thursday, the protests took an ugly turn with many states witnessing arson and vandalism. The protesters mostly targeted trains, while public and government property was also torched. 

Despite widespread protests, Puri said that there is no question of a rollback in the decision to implement the Agnipath military scheme.