Uttarakhand: Congress’s first phase against Agniveer scheme ends, command handed over to ex-servicemen

The first phase of the Rath Yatra, launched by the Congress Ex-Servicemen Department from Dehradun, has concluded. The Rath Yatra was organized on October 4th against the Agnipath scheme. Retired Colonel Ram Ratan Singh Negi, the State President of the Ex-Servicemen Department, who led the Yatra, was welcomed at the Congress Bhawan.

On behalf of State Congress President Karan Mahara, State Vice President Suryakant Dhasmana congratulated them for the success of the program and said that their hard work would bear fruit. Dhasmana also announced that if a Congress government is formed at the center, the scheme will be abolished. Suryakant Dhasmana stated that the old army recruitment process will be resumed as soon as the Congress government is formed at the center. He stated that the Agnipath scheme poses a threat to national security and discourages young people from joining the army.

He stated that young people who are passionate about serving the country and are willing to sacrifice everything for their own welfare join the army. He added that under this scheme, soldiers will not even be granted martyr status. Soldiers recruited under the Agniveer scheme will no longer receive the same benefits that regular soldiers receive after retirement. They will also be deprived of pension benefits. He described the scheme as disastrous. He said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has vowed to cancel the scheme as soon as a Congress government is formed at the Centre.

Suryakant Dhasmana stated that the first phase of the Rath Yatra has received public support. The Yatra started from Dehradun, passing through Kotdwar, Dugadda, Lansdowne, Jairikhal, Gumkhal, Satpuli, Pauri, and finally reached Dehradun via Srinagar. Public dialogues and public meetings were held at various locations. The people also expressed their support for this campaign against the Agnipath scheme. Many senior Congress leaders participated in programs held in various regions. The second phase will now cover two districts of the Kumaon division. The third phase will cover Garhwal, the fourth phase will cover Kumaon, and finally the Terai districts.