Widespread Criticism of Modi Government’s Agniveera Scheme

New Delhi, The Agniveera scheme, recently introduced by the Modi government for recruitment into the Indian Army, has met with significant public and political backlash, with critics arguing that it undermines the spirit of service among Indian youth.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the scheme, which offers only temporary positions in the Army without long-term benefits such as pension or health care, has been sharply criticized by several political figures. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have both voiced serious concerns, stating that the scheme demoralizes young people and treats them as mere tools for political gain rather than honoring them as defenders of the nation.

Chief Minister Sukhu stated that the Agniveera scheme has dissuaded many from pursuing what was once viewed as a noble career in the military, and Gandhi accused the government of coercively implementing a policy that trades the futures of young Indians for political expediency. This discontent highlights growing tensions over military recruitment policies and their implications for national security and youth employment.