IAF chief V R Chaudhari on Saturday cautioned the job aspirants involved in the agitation against the Agnipath scheme that they may not get police clearance to join the armed forces.
He also admitted he had not anticipated such protests against the new recruitment policy rolled out on Tuesday. Chaudhari on Friday had announced that recruitment under the ‘Agnipath’ route will start from June 24. The Army will start the process on Monday next.
Sharing his views in an interview with the India Today news channel, the IAF chief cautioned the possible candidates participating in the stir that they may have to pay a high price at a later date.
“We condemn this kind of violence. This is not the solution. The last step is police verification: if anyone is involved, they won’t get clearance from police,” he said.
He also urged those having concerns about the policy to visit the nearest military station to clear their doubts. “What they need to do now is to get hold of the correct information, understand the scheme in its entirety. They will themselves see the advantage and benefits of the scheme. I am sure this will quell all their doubts, whatever they have in their minds,” he added.
Chaudhari said the ‘Agnipath’ scheme had been in the making for the last two years and aims to reduce the age profile of the armed forces from 30 to 25 years.
Those who are discharged after the four-year tenure will not only have served the nation but will “go back as disciplined, motivated and imbibe ethos of the services”, he said. The IAF chief said the government and the defence establishment are doing their best to address concerns and dispel fears of job seekers, especially with regard to their insecurity about the future.