Home Blog Page 3145

Protestors claiming to be Armed Forces aspirants indulge in vandalism against Agnipath scheme, raise slogans abusing PM Modi repeatedly: WATCH

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Protestors claiming to be Armed Forces aspirants indulge in vandalism against Agnipath scheme, raise slogans abusing PM Modi repeatedly: WATCH

Amid the ongoing violence perpetrated by youths in Bihar and other adjoining states in protest against the central government’s recently launched Agnipath Recruitment Scheme, a video of protestors hurling abusive slurs at Prime Minister Narendra Modi has surfaced online. 

In a video shared by Organiser Weekly on June 16, Thursday, these youths, who claim they want to serve and protect the nation by joining the Indian Defence forces, can be seen raising abusive slogans against the Prime Minister of India. Though it is unclear where the video was taken, there are tyres burning in the middle of the road where these enraged demonstrators have sat on a dharna, abusing PM Modi and demanding the scheme be scrapped.

In the video, one could hear these “students” raise the slogan of “Modi M***rc**d hai” repeatedly.

Today (June 17), the protest against the government’s new military scheme entered its third day. OpIndia had explained how it is neither compulsory for the young men in the country to join the Agnipath scheme nor the regular recruitment into the military forces have been affected in any way. However, the protestors, either out of ignorance or motivated by some political forces, have been disrupting railway and road traffic, setting trains on fire and attacking public and police vehicles in various areas in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and other connected states for the third consecutive day today.

According to reports, these so-called aspiring candidates for the defence forces set an empty train on fire and vandalised a few more trains in Bihar Friday. A video of youths shouting slogans and vandalising the Ballia-Varanasi Memu and Ballia-Shahganj trains has also gone viral.

In another video shared by NDTV, Bihar Sampark Kranti Express can be seen set on fire in Bihar’s Samastipur area.

The alleged army aspirants vandalised and blocked railway tracks at the Lakhminia railway station in Bihar.

The agitators Friday also attacked the house of Bihar Dy CM Renu Devi, in Bettiah. “Our residence in Bettiah was attacked. We suffered a lot of damage. She (Renu Devi) is in Patna”, said Renu Devi’s son.

Yesterday, protestors blocked the movement of trains on Patna-Gaya and Patna-Buxar routes by lying down on the railway tracks in Jehanabad and Buxar districts. The agitators could also be seen throwing stones at the Police, which were controlled by the action of lathi-charge. In an incident, the mob ran so violently that it set a parked train on fire in Bihar’s Chhapra. 

In the videos that have emerged, it could be seen that tyres were burnt to create unrest in the city.

Similar agitations have erupted in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh and Telangana where angry youths have been blocking railway tracks, throwing burning tyres on roads and performing push-ups and other drills on the streets to oppose the new recruitment policy.

General VK Singh strongly condemns the violence by youths against the Agnipath scheme

Yesterday, reacting to the violence by so-called aspiring candidates for the defence forces, Union Minister and former Indian Army chief Gen. V K Singh (R) stated that such behaviour showcased by the youths is not fit for the army.

In an interview with India Today Editor Rahul Kanwal, Singh commented, “I don’t think anybody who is shouting like this, is even fit for the Army. If I was at the helm of affairs, I won’t take any one of them,” categorically calling out the way so-called army aspirants in Bihar protested. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation said that if anybody wants to come to the Army and has the feeling for the Army, ‘they would not be protesting’.

He hinted at a possible political conspiracy behind the violent demonstrations. Singh underlined that the scheme is being misrepresented while there is no cause for the protests at a time when it is not even gone on the floors.

The Agnipath Scheme

On June 14, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with the chiefs of three armed forces, launched the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of youth in the armed forces. Those who get enrolled in the armed forces under this scheme would be called Agniveers. The enrollment under the scheme will be open for both men and women for a four-year period, including the training.

Being an internship-kind of initiative, the Agnipath scheme would allow the patriotic and motivated youth to serve in the armed forces for a short period of four-year. Moreover, 25% of the candidates will be recruited as regular cadres after the end of four years after an exam.

It provides a regular salary for the duration of 4 years and a lumpsum amount of Rs 11.71 lakhs as a Seva Nidhi package that has a portion saved from the salaries, plus an equal amount contributed by the government for the entire period. The salary offered in the scheme is at par with most entry-level jobs for graduates. The scheme only acts as an additional option for those willing to join the Armed Forces and in no way does it hamper the traditional mainstream recruitment process.

Viral video from Rajasthan: Two sisters-in-law of a millionaire family get into hand-to-hand combat mode, fall into drain fighting

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Viral video from Rajasthan: Two sisters-in-law of a millionaire family get into hand-to-hand combat mode, fall into drain fighting

In a viral video that has emerged from Ajmer, Rajasthan, two sisters-in-law married into the same family were seen fighting with such intensity that they fell into a nearby drain. While the ‘Devrani-Jethani’ (women married to two brothers) kept fighting, other family members tried to join in and a bunch of onlookers tried to intervene. But oblivious to anything around them, the women kept abusing and fighting each other.

As per reports, the incident is from Ajmer’s Beawar where a prominent business family has been facing infighting between two brothers over property issues. On Wednesday 15 June, the wives of the two brothers got into an intense fight. They started pulling each other’s hair, attacking with fists and punches and kicking.

The women fought with such intensity they fell into a nearby drain. Their respective family members, instead of trying to separate them, joined in the fight.

In videos of the incident that have gone viral, a bunch of onlookers are seen gathered around the fighting pit (the drain). While some are busy shooting videos, some are encouraging women.

Interestingly, a third and fourth woman too joined in during the fight. But the Devrani Jethani paid no heed. They just continued their combat. Then, suddenly, a man jumped into the drain and grabbed woman number 3 by her neck. The crowd, which was doing nothing to prevent the ladies’ fight till then, suddenly got into action mode and launched an attack on the man. One person kicked him ninja style, while the others pulled him up, saying how did he dare to hit a woman.

As per a Bhaskar report, the women are from the Kumawat family. A property dispute has been long ongoing between a petrol pump owner Narendra Kumawat and his deceased brother’s family. On June 15, Sangita Kumawat, the deceased brother’s widow had reportedly reached the petrol pump with her maternal family and started fighting with Narendra Kumawat’s family members.

Narendra Kumawat’s wife Chanda and daughter-in-law Shikha had started beating Sangeeta and the women fell down the drain while fighting. Both sides have lodged complaints of physical assaults, harassment and vandalism against each other.

USA Today, ‘fact-checker’ with Facebook, fails to ‘fact-check’ own content, removes 23 articles after their reporter fabricated sources: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
USA Today, ‘fact-checker’ with Facebook, fails to ‘fact-check’ own content, removes 23 articles after their reporter fabricated sources: Details

After an internal investigation revealed that the writer who authored the items misattributed comments and, in some cases, faked interviews and sources, USA Today pulled 23 news stories from its website on Thursday. Gabriela Miranda, a breaking news reporter who quit the publication a few weeks ago, is alleged to have exploited falsified sources. Ironically, USA Today is Facebook’s ‘fact-checking partner’.

In 2020, USA Today had announced that it was enhancing its “fact-checking” network and partnering with Facebook. “As a media organization with unparalleled local-to-national reach, we take our commitment to providing people with truthful information very seriously, and fact-checking is integral to the journalism being done by USA TODAY and in Gannett newsrooms across the country” Maribel Perez Wadsworth, Gannett’s news leader and Publisher of USA TODAY had said. “We also recognize that the distribution of false information on social media is a concerning issue that warrants attention in today’s world, so joining Facebook’s fact-checking program to identify misinformation felt like a natural step for us. We are proud to partner with Facebook on a program with such an important mission.”

Now, USA Today, a ‘fact-checker’ with Facebook, has failed to ‘fact-check’ its own stories. A list of the pieces that were removed was released by USA Today, along with a narrative of the investigation into Miranda, which began with an “external correction request” a few weeks ago. Later, the audit was broadened to include a wide spectrum of her work, with a focus on trending topics and popular stories.

The notification on the USA Today website reads, “After receiving an external correction request, USA TODAY audited the reporting work of Gabriela Miranda. The audit revealed that some individuals quoted were not affiliated with the organizations claimed and appeared to be fabricated. The existence of other individuals quoted could not be independently verified. In addition, some stories included quotes that should have been credited to others.”

Miranda formerly worked for the Gainesville Times, where she covered education and Hispanic issues. She worked for a student magazine Red & Black while attending the University of Georgia, where she graduated in 2021.

The publication promised to enhance its approach for anyone who wishes to file complaints or seek revisions. It also promised to contact institutions if they are mentioned in the piece and to take reasonable procedures to verify source material at all times.

On Thursday, USA Today had a video conference with its staff to discuss the inquiry. Nicole Carroll, the editor-in-chief of USA Today, oversaw the meeting, which included a briefing on some of the issues raised by Miranda’s pieces. According to a person briefed on the investigation, USA Today decided during the investigation that Miranda made attempts to deceive investigators by creating phoney proof of her news content, including interview tapes.

A different story-fabrication issue erupted in 2004 when USA Today accused Pulitzer Prize finalist and writer Jack Kelley of inventing stories and plagiarising content from other magazines. Kelley had resigned and later apologised.

Maharashtra: 26-year-old assaulted for sharing Whatsapp story in support of Nupur Sharma, Nisar, Nouhid, Wasim, Altaf Shaikh, six others booked

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Maharashtra: 26-year-old assaulted for sharing Whatsapp story in support of Nupur Sharma, Nisar, Nouhid, Wasim, Altaf Shaikh, six others booked

The Maharashtra Police on Thursday registered a case against Nisar Sayyad, Nouhid, Wasim Pathan, Altaf Shaikh, and six other unidentified persons for assaulting a 26-year-old person named Narendra Sriram in Solapur. Shriram was brutally assaulted by the accused after he shared a message on social media in support of ex-BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

According to the reports, Narendra Sriram on June 11 had changed his Whatsapp status story to support Nupur Sharma who has been criticized globally for her alleged ‘blasphemous’ remarks. Some of his Whatsapp friends responded furiously to the story and abused him for extending support to Sharma. In an attempt to resolve the matter, Shriram apologized for his actions.

As the matter seemed resolved, Shriram’s friends June 13 caught him near his house and assaulted him. The Police stated that Sriram managed to save himself by running away from the spot. Later he complained against Nisar Sayyad, Nouhid, Wasim Pathan, Altaf Shaikh, and six other unidentified persons who had abused and assaulted him. The Police registered an FIR against the accused and arrested three of them in the case.

It is important to note that this is not the first case where a person has suffered for supporting an ex-BJP spokesperson. Earlier a 24-year-old ABVP activist was arrested for sharing a FB post in support of Sharma. Karthi Thandamuthur who had shared Nupur Sharma’s video on Facebook and had captioned it, “I’ll repeat this every day…Nupur Sharma only repeated what’s written… what wrong did she say?”

The Tamil Nadu Police arrested Karthi and charged him for promoting religious enmity. The Police booked him under section 153A of the Indian Penal Code and section 67 of the Information Technology Act

Also, a similar incident was reported in Maharashtra’s Thane district where Saad Ashfaq Ansari, an engineering student had extended his support to Sharma. In an Instagram story, Ashfaq had written, “A 50-year-old man marrying a 6-9-year-old kid is clear child abuse. And I don’t know how you people support this. Will you give your 6-year-old daughter to a 50-year-old man? (think about it).”

Saad, for his Instagram story, was assaulted and abused by a Muslim mob and was later arrested by the Bhiwandi police amid the ongoing blasphemy row. Police also arrested him for his extended support to Nupur Sharma by referring to her as a ‘brave lady.’

Several FIRs have been registered against Nupur Sharma for her remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Recently, the Bhiwandi Police and also the Kolkata Police have issued summons against Sharma to question her. Mumbai police have also summoned her asking her to appear on June 25. Similarly, Mumbra police in Thane have also asked her to appear on June 22.

SP leader portrays victims of factory blasts as aspirants committing suicide over the Agnipath scheme, deletes later: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
-
0
SP leader portrays victims of factory blasts as aspirants committing suicide over the Agnipath scheme, deletes later: Here is what happened

The Samajwadi Party is adding fuel to the fire of unrest and chaos caused by the violent protests over the Agnipath scheme. On Thursday (June 16) night, Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Rachna Singh passed off victims of a factory blast as aspirants committing suicide over the newly launched government initiative.

In a tweet, she wrote, “I am requesting those students, aspiring and preparing to join the army, to not commit suicide. The (Modi) government will have to take back its decision and it will be a victory for the youth. Don’t lose hope.”

Screengrab of the tweet by Rachna Singh

She had posted images of young men, covered in blood and bruises, and suggested that they caused self-harm after being disappointed with the army’s recruitment drive. The contentious tweet was shared 249 times and liked by 787 users after which, it was deleted by the SP leader.

What is the Truth?

On close investigation, Opindia found that the time stamp on the second image read ‘2022/6/4 14: 44’ i.e. the picture was captured on June 4 this year at 2:44 pm.

Given that the Agnipath Scheme for recruitment in the Indian Armed forces was launched only on June 14, 2022, it became clear that the images could not have been the result of ongoing protests.

Expanded screenshot of the 2nd Image posted by Rachna Singh

According to a popular Twitter user (@Befitting Facts), the victims did not sustain injuries while committing suicide but during an explosion at a chemical factory in the Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh.

“A video has surfaced in the aftermath of a blast in a chemical factory in Hapur… Watch the disturbing images from the incident,” read a Twitter post from @TheUpNews On June 7.

In the video, the same young men were spotted who were earlier shown with bruises and burns. As such, the claim made by the Samajwadi Party leader Rachna Singh turned out to be false.

At a time, when students have taken to violence and vandalism in the garb of protests, the Samajwadi party is not leaving any stone unturned to milk the opportunity for political gains.

Agniveer Recruitment Scheme: Here is all you need to know about the age criteria, salary, facilities, process and more

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Agniveer Recruitment Scheme: Here is all you need to know about the age criteria, salary, facilities, process and more

On June 15, the Government of India announced the Agnipath Scheme for the recruitment of youth in the Indian Armed Forces. There have been a lot of speculations and confusion about the newly launched scheme. This list of FAQs based on the information provided by the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces will help in understanding the scheme better.

What is Agnipath Recruitment Scheme?

It is a new HR Management scheme for the Indian Armed Forces. The candidates recruited via this scheme will be called Agniveers. Once enrolled, they will be governed under the Acts of the respective Armed Forces, Army, Navy and Air Force. They will get a distinct rank in the respective Armed Forces that will be different from the existing ranks.

Every Agniveer will be required to sign documents accepting the terms and conditions of the Agnipath Scheme. If the Agniveer is under the age of 18 years at the time of enrolment, then the parents or guardian will sign the document.

The recruitment under the Agnipath scheme will be initially for four years. After that, based on the requirements and policies of the respective Armed Forces, up to 25% of Agniveers from any particular batch will be given an offer to join as regular cadres based on their performance during their four-year engagement period at the Armed Forces. The remaining 75% of Agniveers will go back to society.

What are the eligibility criteria and terms for enrolling for Agnipath Scheme?

  • The candidate must be between the age of 17.5 years to 21 years.
  • It is open for all classes pan India.
  • All candidates must pass the medical test as per the guidelines laid down by the respective Armed Forces.
  • Agniveers will get training as per the requirement of the respective Armed Forces.
  • Agniveers enrolled under this entry are liable to be assigned any duty in organizational interest at the discretion of the respective Armed Forces.

Will there be any insignia on Agniveers’ uniforms to distinguish them?

To encourage and recognize the dynamism of youth, a distinctive insignia will be worn by Agniveers on their uniform during their engagement period.

Will Agniveers be eligible for awards and honours?

They will be entitled to honours and awards as per extant guidelines governing the subject for the respective Armed Forces.

What about the assessment of the Agniveers during the service period?

The Armed Forces will endeavour to maintain a centralized high-quality online database of ‘Agniveers’ and will follow a transparent common assessment methodology. An objective system to ensure fair and impartial assessment will be introduced. Skills attained by Agniveers will be systematically recorded. Broad guidelines will be framed before the appointment of the first batch of Agniveers, and the same, along with any subsequent changes, will be circulated.

Will Agniveers get yearly leaves?

Though the leaves will be granted exclusively at the discretion of the Armed Forces, they will be eligible for 30 leaves per year and sick leave based on medical advice.

Will Agniveers get a medical facility?

During their engagement as Agniveer in the Armed Forces, they will be entitled to the medical facility at Service Hospitals as well as CSD provisions.

Can Agniveer leave the Armed Forces before completion of tenure?

As per the regulations, they will not be allowed to leave the Armed Forces before completing their tenure of four years. However, in exceptional cases, the Competent Authority may allow it on a case-to-case basis.

What will be the pay, allowance and other benefits for Agniveers?

Every month, Agniveers will get Rs 30,000/- salary for the first year, and it will increase in subsequent years. 30% of the salary will be deducted as a Contribution to the Agniveer Corpus Fund. The amount accumulated by the Agniveers at the completion of the tenure will be matched by the government, and Agniveers will get approx Rs 11.5 lakhs in hand as a Seva Nidhi package. The amount that Agniveers get under Seva Nidhi will be tax-free.

Apart from the salary and Seva Nidhi package, Agniveers will get non-contributory life insurance of Rs 48 lakh that would be paid to the family in case of death of Agniveer in the line of duty. Agniveers will not pay any amount towards Provident Fund (PF). Notably, there are speculations that PF will be deducted above contribution to Agniveer Corpus Fund, which is false.

Is there any provision of compensation in case of disability or death?

In case of disability, based on the certification by the medical authority, Agniveer will get a one-time ex-gratia disability package of Rs 44 lakh for 100% disability, Rs 25 lakh for 75% disability and Rs 15 lakh for 50% disability. Agniveer will also get full payment for the non-served period from the four-year service, including the Seva Nidhi package for both served and non-served periods.

In case of death, Rs 48 lakh from the life insurance along with the Seva Nidhi package for the served period will be paid to the family of Agniveer if the recruit dies of natural causes. If Agniveer died during the line of duty, riots, violence, attacks by terrorists, anti-social elements, enemy, during peacekeeping operation or during aid to civil power etc., they will get pay for the non-served period, ex-gratia Rs 44 lakh, Seva Nidhi Package for served and non-served period.

What about those candidates who have passed the medical and physical test for recruitment in Armed Forces and currently waiting for exams?

All the recruitments in Armed Forces will be via Agniveer only. Those candidates have to reapply based on their eligibility.

What will happen to Agniveers after four years of service?

25% of Agniveers will get a call from Armed Forces for recruitment as a regular cadre. The remaining will rejoin society. Notably, PSUs, government agencies, paramilitary forces, and state governments have come forward and promised they would give preference for jobs to Agniveers who complete their four years of service in the Armed Forces.

In association with IGNOU, the Armed Forces will provide graduation degrees to Agniveers that will help them if they want to go for higher studies after completion of four years of service.

Is the Agniveer scheme open for women?

Yes, during the announcement of the scheme, it was pointed out that it would be open to women as well..

After Al Qaeda, ISIS threatens Hindus and Sikhs over Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad, 10-minute video features PM Modi too

OpIndia Staff
-
0
After Al Qaeda, ISIS threatens Hindus and Sikhs over Nupur Sharma’s comments on Prophet Muhammad, 10-minute video features PM Modi too

Amidst the death threats issued to Nupur Sharma over her innocuous remarks on Prophet Muhammad, the terror outfit Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) has released a 10-minute video about India and the ex-BJP spokesperson. Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is an affiliate of ISIS that functions in South East Asia and Central Asia.

In the video titled, ‘The polytheists are the brothers of the polytheists’, the Islamic terror organisation has threatened to attack Hindus over the ongoing blasphemy row and demolition of a part of a mosque in the Jahangirpuri area of Delhi.

An independent news handle, the Khorasan Diary, wrote, “Islamic State Khurasan Province (ISKP) has begun a news bulletin service through its mouthpiece AlAzaim foundation. The first news bulletin is focused on India and the issue of blasphemy.”

The terror organisation has also threatened to conduct attacks against India wherever possible. According to the Khorasan Diary, the ISKP propaganda video also featured an Indian suicide bomber named Kalukettiya Purayil Ijas.

The Islamic State of Khorasan Province had criticised the Taliban and its leader Mullah Yaqoob for his interview with CNN News 18 and the meeting of Taliban’s Finance Minister Amir Muttaqi with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Joint Secretary JP Singh.

The disturbing video also threatened to carry out attacks on Sikhs. “It then features Narendra Modi and the attacks on Sikhs in Afghanistan followed by animations of a suicide bombing. Ending with a message to conduct attacks very soon.”

ISKP is an offshoot of the Islamic State terror group that operates in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Khorasan refers to a historical region comprising of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenistan, the territories once controlled by a caliphate.

ISKP operates from the eastern province of Nangarhar, strategically located between the drug and of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The terrorist group was first formed in 2015 after several dissatisfied fighters of the Afghan Taliban and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan joined the Islamic State, swearing to create a caliphate.

It also influenced several radical Islamists studying in madrasas in Afghanistan and Pakistan, who travelled to the war-torn country to join the most extreme jihadist terrorist groups in the world.

Al-Qaeda threatened India with suicide attacks

On June 6 this year, another dreaded terrorist group, Al Qaeda, issued a letter threatening suicide attacks in Delhi, Mumbai, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat to “fight for the honor of the Prophet”.

It warned, “We shall kill those who affront our Prophet and we shall bind explosives with our bodies and the bodies of our children to blow away the ranks of those who dare to dishonor our Prophet.” The letter went on to say that Hindutva terrorists were currently occupying India.

Al Qaeda further warned, “We say with the help of Allah the almighty, the saffron terrorists should now await their end in Delhi, Bombay, UP, and Gujarat. They shall find refuge neither in their homes nor in their fortified army cantonments. May our mothers be bereaved of us, if we do not avenge our beloved Prophet.”

Bhim Sena Chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar arrested for issuing bounty to cut Nupur Sharma’s tongue, had said he would make her do ‘mujra’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bhim Sena Chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar arrested for issuing bounty to cut Nupur Sharma’s tongue, had said he would make her do ‘mujra’

The Delhi Police has arrested Bhim Sena Chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar after he announced a bounty of Rs 1 crore and threatened former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her innocuous comments on Prophet Muhammad. The Special Cell’s Cyber Cell unit arrested Tanwar from his residence on Thursday.

The arrest of Tanwar comes days after the Gurgaon Police had booked him for his threats and comments against Nupur Sharma. He was booked for promoting enmity between different groups, abetment, intentional insult and criminal intimidation.

The Delhi Police said that Tanwar had earlier too issued bounties and made threats. “We took cognisance of the video. The man is heard making life-threatening remarks and is trying to spread hatred. We arrested Tanwar from Gurgaon. He has been booked under IPC sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insult modesty of a woman) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups)”, Cyber Cell police said to Indian Express.

According to reports, the police are now interrogating Nawab Satpal Tanwar.

What had Nawab Satpal Tanwar said threatening Nupur Sharma

On June 8th, Nawab Satpal Tanwar issued threats to Nupur Sharma for “insulting Prophet Muhammad”. In his statement, Tanwar said, “Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nupur Sharma has done blasphemy in the name of Nabi. Nupur Sharma has hurt crores of Muslims living in the country. Nupur Sharma has hurt crores of Indians. Nupur Sharma has insulted the country across the world. Nupur Sharma has insulted Prophet Muhammad. Nupur Sharma’s crime is not forgivable. She deserves to be hanged.”

He added, “Bhim Sena Chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar announces Rs 1 crore reward for whoever brings tongue of Nupur Sharma. Nupur Sharma is insulting Indians across the world. Nupur Sharma is working on the behest of the BJP and RSS. Nupur Sharma is the real mastermind of Kanpur violence. Modi Government and Yogi Government must arrest her immediately and throw her in jail. However, no legal action is being taken against her. This is why I, Bhim Sena Chief Nawab Satpal Tanwar, announce a reward of Rs 1 crore for whoever brings tongue of Nupur Sharma.”

Earlier, Tanwar had made insulting comments against Nupur Sharma as well and said that he will make her do “mujra” in front of him.

He had said, “I trust myself. If the government of this country, the government of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath and Narendra Modi are not capable of taking action against Nupur Sharma, they should hand over her to Nawab Satpal Tanwar. I will make her do mujra in public. I will make her do mujra in front of me. Then I will punish her as I like. Bring her to Satpal’s court. If Nupur Sharma is presented in Satpal’s court, the whole country will see that dancer doing mujra in front of Nawab Satpal Tanwar.”

Defence Ministry extends entry age for Agnipath scheme by 2 years for 2022, says it is one-time waiver

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Defence Ministry extends entry age for Agnipath scheme by 2 years for 2022, says it is one-time waiver

Amid the violent protests against the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into armed forces, the Ministry of Defence has decided to extend the maximum age of candidates by two years for the year 2022.

A press release issued by the Press Information Bureau said, “The Government has decided that a one-time waiver shall be granted for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022. ​Accordingly, the upper age limit for the recruitment process for Agnipath scheme for 2022 is increased to 23 years.”

The press release said that taking cognizance of the fact that no recruitment could take place in the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government has decided to grant a waiver for the proposed recruitment cycle for 2022.

However, it is only an one-time waiver for the current year, and from the next year onwards, the age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme will be minimum 17½ and maximum 21 years, as announced under the scheme.

The Agnipath scheme was announced by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on June 14, under which youths will be recruited into the armed forces for a four-year period. After the four-year service period, Agniveers will get preference in PSUs, and State Governments’ jobs, and will be paid a one-time ‘SevaNidhi’ package amounting to ₹11.71 Lakh.

Agniveers will be eligible to apply for regular commission after the four-year period, and around 25% of them will be enrolled in Armed Forces as regular cadres.

The move is seen as an effort to control the burgeoning pension bill for the defence forces, as the Agniveers will not be paid pensions after their four-year service term.

There have been violent protests against this scheme by job aspirants in Bihar and some other states, who are demanding the continuation of the existing army recruitment policy. The protestors in Bihar even burnt down trains.

‘They are not fit for the Army’: General VK Singh on violence by youths against the Agnipath scheme

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘They are not fit for the Army’: General VK Singh on violence by youths against the Agnipath scheme

Ever since the Agnipath scheme was announced by the Central Government, it has landed in controversy over the recruitment of Jawans into the forces. Aspiring candidates in Bihar and other surrounding states in North India took to violent protests and agitations against the recruitment scheme on Thursday, disrupting the law and order in the region. The protests were particular violent in Bihar, where several trains were burnt by the violent mob. Reacting to the violence by so called aspiring candidates for the defence forces, Union Minister and former Indian Army chief Gen. V K Singh (R) has stated that such behaviour showcased by the youths is not fit for the army.

Central Minister Gen. V K Singh, who retired as the Chief of Army staff before joining active politics, has condemned the violent protests that spread across cities in Bihar over the recruitment issue regarding Agnipath.

In an interview with India Today Editor Rahul Kanwal, Singh commented, “I don’t think anybody who is shouting like this, is even fit for the Army. If I was at the helm of affairs, I won’t take any one of them,” categorically calling out the way so called army aspirants in Bihar protested. The Minister of State for Civil Aviation said that if anybody wants to come to the Army and has the feeling for the Army, ‘they would not be protesting’.

Hinting at a possible political conspiracy behind the violent demonstrations, Singh added, “If they are protesting, there must be something else which is telling them to protest or guiding them to protest.” VK Singh highlighted that while the chief Ministers of UP and Haryana have extended support to the scheme stating that the ‘Agniveers’ will be given priority in state police recruitments after they complete their 4-year term in the defence forces, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and the state of Bihar should do the same, to tame the confusion.

Singh underlined that the scheme is being misrepresented while there is no cause for the protests at a time when it is not even gone on the floors.

Earlier in the day, a rioting situation occurred in Bihar’s Jehanabad where young men claiming to protest against the Central Government’s Agnipath scheme indulged in vandalism and arson. In an incident, the mob ran so violently that it set a parked train on fire in Bihar’s Chhapra. Besides this, law and order situation has been seriously affected in the districts of Bulandshahar, Chhapra, Arrah, Buxar and Saharsa where students were flocking to the railway stations with sticks and stones with an intent to disrupt the railway traffic.

The Agnipath scheme

On June 14, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with the chiefs of three armed forces, launched the Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of youth in the armed forces. The ‘Agniveers’ will be provided with a regular salary for the duration of 4 years and a lumpsum amount of Rs 11.71 lakhs as a Seva Nidhi package.

While the scheme only acts as an additional option for those willing to join the Armed Forces, and in no way, does it hamper the traditional mainstream recruitment process, it seems the young men running riots in Bihar are either ignorant about the scheme or have been motivated by some political forces to indulge in violent protests.

1...3,1443,1453,146...7,636Page 3,145 of 7,636