Agnipath Won't Take In Violent Protesters: MoD

Agnipath aspirants will be rejected if they have been accused of arson or vandalism, a senior military official said on Sunday, signalling a hardening of stance on the violent protests against the recruitment programme that have disrupted train services across the country and led to the destruction of hundreds of vehicles and coaches.

NEW DELHI: The official also ruled out a rollback of recruitment scheme despite widespread protests.

The comments came a day ahead of a planned protest over the scheme in Delhi, and close on the heels of a spree of assurances by various ministries that those who are not absorbed in the military after their four-year Agnipath stint will have ample job opportunities elsewhere.

"Every individual who wants to join the armed forces through the Agnipath scheme will have to submit a pledge that they were neither part of any protest nor were involved in any violence. Nobody can join the forces without police verification...

We have made the provisions," said Lt General Anil Puri, the additional secretary of the department of military affairs.

The official, alleging the protests were instigated by "inimical forces" as well as some coaching institutes, said discipline was paramount for the armed forces.

"The foundation of the Indian armed forces is discipline. There is no space for arson. There is no problem if you show your anger and engage in talks.

But there is no space for arson and vandalism." The official defended the scheme and said the announcements in recent days of reserving jobs for those who leave the military at the end of the four-year Agnipath scheme was planned for long.