NEW DELHI: The central government will be forced to withdraw the Agnipath recruitment scheme following protests by the country’s youth, said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The government will have to roll back the Agnipath scheme, just like it had to revoke the farm laws following farmers’ protests, he said.

Taking to Twitter, Rahul Gandhi wrote, “For eight consecutive years, the BJP government has insulted the values of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. I had said earlier also that the Prime Minister will have to withdraw the black Agriculture Act. In the same way, he will have to obey the youth of the country by becoming 'Mafiveer' and 'Agnipath' will have to be taken back.” The prime minister will have to apologise to the youth of the nation, he added.

The central government had announced the Agnipath recruitment scheme, last Tuesday. According to the scheme, youths between the age of 17.5 and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure into the armed forces, while 25 per cent of the recruits will be retained for regular service. Those exempted from the service will not be provided gratuity or pension benefits. However, the centre has assured that the future of the Agnipath recruits is secure. The government has also announced a 10 per cent reservation for Agniveers in CAPFs and Assam Rifles. Meanwhile, several BJP-ruled states have already announced that they will give priority to Agniveers in state police recruitments.