National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval On Tuesday, those opposed to the Centre’s newly introduced Agneepath recruitment scheme for defense forces with vested interests termed as “struggle entrepreneurs”.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Doval said that while there were people who were genuinely worried and their “fear of the unknown” is gradually being addressed, there is another group that “remains concerned about the country or the nation”. Doesn’t care about security” and resorts to violence and damages public property.
“I would say there are two types of opposition. There is a group of people who are genuinely concerned, who have served the country. They only fear the unknown. This is a concern before any major change. People are now slowly understanding that it is long overdue. They are now considering it as a good move,” he said.
Doval said: “But, there is another group. They are neither concerned about the country nor the security of the country. They are struggling entrepreneurs. They want struggle in the society. These are the people who will go for stone-pelting, dharna-demonstration, burning of vehicles. They are with vested interests. Whenever they get a chance they think that they can mislead people.
The NSA’s remarks come amid massive protests against the scheme, which provides for recruitment of youth in the age group of 17-and-a-half to 21 years in the armed services for only four years, with an option of retaining 25 per cent. There is provision. them for 15 more years. The Center later increased the upper age limit for recruitment to 23 years in 2022.
Sixty trains with 11 locomotives and assets worth around Rs 700 crore have been vandalized in Bihar alone in the last four days, while candidates have also taken up arms in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
As the agitation intensified in some places, the protesters created a stampede, torched trains, torched vehicles and damaged both private and public properties.
However, the NSA said that youths who are serious about joining the armed forces are not misled. “A true Agniveer will not be affected or misled. They will prepare instead of protesting. People who are doing all this, I don’t think they are willing to join the armed forces or they have a mental state.”
Doval said that raising his voice is justified but sabotage will not be tolerated. He said, ‘I think it is permissible to protest, raise voice in a democracy. Violence and sabotage will not be tolerated. There is a need for reforms in various forms like police. Lessons should be learned from the circumstances. Several FIRs have been registered. The people behind these will be identified,” he said.
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