Haryana Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Spotlight on Agnipath as youth seek job stability

In a state grappling with high unemployment, the Agniveer scheme, also known as the Agnipath Yojana, has shifted the career aspirations of many young men. Pawan Jangra, a native of Pabra in Hisar district, had always dreamed of joining the Indian Army. However, he now prioritizes police jobs, seeing them as a more secure option compared to the uncertainty following the four-year Agniveer term.

Preference for Police Jobs:
Deepak, another Army aspirant from Hansi, echoes this sentiment, stating, "Even if we are selected under the Agniveer scheme, our struggle would begin after release on completion of four years. It is better to work hard and choose police service or other similar jobs where we can at least serve till the age of superannuation."


Declining Interest in Army Recruitment:
According to Joginder Punia, who runs a coaching academy in Hisar, the number of applications under the Agniveer scheme has significantly dropped. "Army is no longer the first choice for the boys from rural areas of Haryana. I had two boys in my academy who were selected for the Army under the Agniveer scheme but chose permanent Group-D posts instead."

Shift Towards Overseas Opportunities:
Pawan Berwal, a former soldier now running a coaching academy in Jind, observes a growing preference for overseas opportunities among Haryana's youth. "Youngsters in Haryana are preferring to go abroad after spending Rs 20-30 lakh to get citizenship of another country in 3-4 years. That is a more secure option," he explains.

Coaching Academies Struggle:
Dinesh Sangwan, a retired Navy officer running an academy in Rohtak, notes a drastic decline in students preparing for Army recruitment. "Around 6-7 academies in Haryana have shut down after the implementation of the Agniveer scheme," he says, highlighting the uncertainty faced by young men who traditionally joined the armed forces.

Political Reactions:
Political parties across Haryana are seizing on this discontent, promising to end the Agniveer scheme and bring back the old recruitment pattern. This promise resonates strongly in rural areas, where job security remains a critical concern.

Historically, the Indian Army has been a significant employer for youth from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, with one-fourth of soldiers selected annually from these regions. In the 2019-20 recruitment drive, 18,798 youngsters from this area were selected. However, the suspension of the Army’s enrolment drive during the COVID-19 pandemic left around 37,000 young men without job opportunities, intensifying the frustration with the new scheme.

The Agniveer scheme's impact on job security and aspirations is shaping the electoral discourse in Haryana. As political parties promise to revert to the old recruitment system, the scheme remains a contentious issue among the state's rural youth, significantly influencing their voting preferences.

(With inputs from TOI)