Agnipath Scheme

Calling it "Agnipath Ki Baat, Yuvaon Se Vishwasghat (Talk on Agnipath, Betrayal of Youth)", the party will hold the media interactions all across the country. The press conferences will be held at Shimla by Alok Sharma; Dehradun - Manvendra Singh; Chandigarh - Ranjeet Ranjan, MP; New Delhi- Shaktisinh Gohil, MP; Jaipur - Deepender Singh Hooda, MP; Ahmedabad: Alka Lamba; Mumbai - Supriya Shrinate; Bengaluru,

According to the state Congress president in West Bengal and senior party Lok Sabha member Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, if she is serious about her opposition on this count, she would bring in a resolution against it in the state Assembly and get it passed as done by the Rajasthan government.

"To register strongest possible protest against the vicious and unprovoked attack unleashed on Congress MPs by Delhi Police, which comes under the direct purview of Union Home Ministry, and ensure a time-bound enquiry by the Privileges Committee on the breach of privilege," was the second demand as mentioned by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh in his tweets.

Modi is visiting the state for a 2-day tour after one-and-a-half years. He will arrive at the Bengaluru Yelahanka Indian Air Force Base at 11.55 a.m. on Monday. Modi will participate in 10 programmes organised in Bengaluru and Mysuru cities, including the International Yoga Day on June 21.

Party General Secretary Jairam Ramesh tweeted, "Tomorrow lakhs of Congress workers across the country will continue peaceful protest against the anti-youth Agnipath scheme & against Modi Govt's vendetta politics targeting its leader Shri Rahul Gandhi, MP." He also said that Congress delegation will meet President Ram Nath Kovind in the evening.

Priyanka Gandhi said, "No one is a greater patriot than the youth. I talked to many youths when I was arrested in Uttar Pradesh. I saw youths who were preparing, waiting for recruitment in the army. Found many who said there is no hope left and are now going to sell sugarcane." Appealing to the youth, she said, "Throw out the government in a democratic, peaceful and non-violent way. Bring a government that is true to the nation and protects the country's assets."

On Saturday, the Defence Minister held a meeting with Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar and IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari. After the meeting, Rajnath Singh announced that the government will reserve 10 per cent jobs in the Defence Ministry for Agniveers. Similarly, the Union home ministry has also announced a ten per cent quota in the Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) and the Assam Rifles.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot at the Chief Minister's residence here on Saturday. At the meeting, the Council of Ministers expressed concern over the nationwide protests against the Agnipath scheme. It was stated during the meeting that to maintain the dignity and prestige of the Indian Army, it is necessary to have skill, experience and stability in the force.

Sanjay Jaiswal also asked the Nitish Kumar government to take adequate measures or face the consequences. Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal-United reacted strongly, with its national President Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh claiming Jaiswal had "lost his mental balance, while Parliamentary Board President Upendra Kushwaha saying that they do not take the BJP leader's statements seriously.

People could be seen sitting wherever they found a place to lie down amidst a long wait for their trains. Several sat on the platform while many found a place next to the ticket counters. According to the Indian Railways, 369 trains were cancelled on Saturday due to the protest against the Agneepath scheme. This included 210 mail and express trains and 159 local passenger trains. The Union Cabinet had on Tuesday approved the 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces.