NEW DELHI: Several organisations on Monday called for a nationwide shutdown or Bharat Bandh to protest the Centre's new military recruitment policy Agnipath.
The policy which was introduced on June 14, has received massive backlash from armed forces aspirants across the country.
Here is a look at the top developments in the story so far:
Security beefed up in several states
Additional security has been deployed in several states amid protests against the Centre's new Agnipath recruitment scheme.
As a precautionary measure, police have tightened security in and around Delhi's Jantar Mantar area where several organisations will hold protests today.
"Section 144 has also been imposed and strict action will be taken against those found involved in such incidents," said Ashutosh Dwivedi, ADCP, Law and Order, Noida.
Prohibitory orders have also been imposed in Jaipur since August 18 in view of the possibility of disturbance to law and order due to the protests.
All schools in Jharkhand and Bihar will remain closed today, as per the order by the district administration.
The ongoing protests have disrupted rail services in several parts of the country. A total of 491 train services have been affected throughout the country due to the ongoing agitation, informed railway officials on Sunday.
Over 80 trains have been cancelled on Monday amid the protests in various parts of the country against the new recruitment scheme in the Armed Forces.
A total of 18 East-bound train services scheduled from different Northern Railway terminals have been cancelled today, according to Northern Railways.
It further informed that as many as 71 Delhi area-bound commuter trains (including return services) have also been dismissed for today in the wake of the protests against the Centre's Agnipath recruitment scheme.
Navy to recruit women sailors for first time
The Navy will recruit women sailors for the first time through the new Agnipath scheme this year.
The exact number of women among the 3,000 naval Agniveers to be inducted this year is still to be finalized but it’s likely to be 10-20% of the first batch that will begin training at the naval establishment INS Chilka in Odisha on November 21.
“The Agnipath scheme in the Navy will be gender-neutral. We have decided that the time has come to recruit women sailors as well, and in all trades which will include women who will go to sea,” chief of personnel Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi said on Sunday.
Cong to hold 'peaceful protests', meet President
Congress workers will hold "peaceful" protests across the country on Monday against the "anti-youth" Agnipath scheme.
The grand old party held a 'satyagraha' on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the youth protesting against Agnipath recruitment scheme.
"We'll sit on Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar today, and in the evening at 5 pm we'll meet the President and demand that the Agnipath scheme be withdrawn," said Congress leader Ajay Maken.
"The scheme should first be discussed with youth and in Parliament, but before that, it should be withdrawn," he added.
Large potential for Agniveers in corporate sector: Mahindra
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has expressed dismay over the violence against the Centre's Agnipath scheme.
He asserted that the farm equipment to aerospace conglomerate welcomes the opportunity to recruit trained, capable and young people under the programme.
Expressing his opinion on the scheme to recruit youths between the age of 17 and-a-half and 23 years for a four-year tenure in defence services amid widespread violence across states against it, he said there is a large potential for employment of "Agniveers" in the corporate sector.
Agnipath recruitment policy in brief
The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.
Notably, Agnipath is a pan India merit-based recruitment scheme for enrolling soldiers, airmen and sailors. The scheme provides an opportunity for the youth to serve in the regular cadre of the armed forces.
All those recruited under the Agnipath Scheme will be called 'Agniveers'. Agniveers will be enrolled for a service duration of 4 years including the training period.
After four years, only 25 per cent of the Agniveers will be retained or re-enlisted in the regular cadre based on merit, willingness and medical fitness.
(With inputs from agencies)