Aspirants hold protest over delay in defence recruitment

Tribune News Service

Anshita Mehra

New Delhi, February 1

A protest under the banner of the AICC ex-servicemen department, demanding the recruitment of those selected in the defence forces prior to the Agnipath scheme's introduction, was organised at the Jantar Mantar here on Thursday.

Over 1.5 lakh youths were selected for defence recruitment from all over the country, but were not called for the written examination. Leading the protest at Jantar Mantar on Thursday was Aviraj, who successfully passed the physical test, only to see the written exam repeatedly postponed. He said, “Our dream has been shattered and to ensure a change, I am ready to start a revolution as I have nothing left to lose.”

Aviraj's commitment is evident as he embarked on a 'Champaran se Delhi pedal yatra,' travelling from Champaran to Delhi to voice the collective anguish of the aspirants. Colonel (retd) Rohit Chowdhary said about 1.5 lakh youths, who had been selected for recruitment in the defence forces prior to the introduction of the Agnipath scheme, were awaiting their joining.

Aakash, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, shared the hurdles they faced, saying, “For the Army selection, my physical was done, and only the written exam was left, but the exam was postponed, first in the name of Covid, while the exams of NDA and CDS were still being taken. Then came the Agniveer scheme that further made our selection hard.”

The plight is even more severe for candidates aspiring to join the Indian Air Force (IAF), where the issuance of results and enrollment has been pending for three years. Ankush, an IAF candidate, expressed his frustration, stating, “I already completed all of my exams and procedures, but for the past three years, I'm just waiting for the results. Covid could delay the exam, but what is causing the delay in the results.”

The uncertainty extends to candidates with NCC certificates, whose written exams have been waived, yet they find themselves waiting endlessly for results. Rajendra Singh from Uttarakhand, with family members serving in the Army, said, “Even my relatives in the army told me that while they have the data already with them, they are waiting for the order of the government.”

In a bid to amplify their voices, the All India Congress Committee has joined the protest. Despite the support, the protestors maintain that their cause is non-political and revolves solely around their demand for timely exams and enrollment of the youth.

Singh emphasises, “We are not trying to make this a political issue. We do have support from various political leaders other than the Congress, but our aim with approaching these leaders is to get as much attention on the topic as possible.”

As these aspirants continue their relentless fight against bureaucratic delays, their struggle serves as a reminder of the dreams shattered and the resilience of youth yearning to to serve their nation.

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