Imkong Walling
The Agnipath Scheme, the Indian armed forces’ new recruitment policy has pitted two schools of thought at opposite ends— Traditionalists versus modernists, so to speak.
National security undeniably serves as the basis for both camps, albeit, with divergent approaches. One wants the status quo, a system where career soldiers are tempered over years to eventually retire; unless cut short by martyrdom or grievous injury. The other wants a short-service system, which, in essence, implies sieving and retaining the finest lot, while releasing the residual remnants to civilian life at the end of a 4-year stint, with a one-time contributory annuity.
That is the gist of the uproar, in a nutshell.
But what drives humans, who with a primal fear of death, want to join military service despite the associated risk to life? What drove the youths, aspiring to join military service, to come out in open defiance to the new short-service policy?
An angle left unexplored, intentionally or not, it is perhaps because of the engendered ideals of honour, heroism and sacrifice attached to the military way of life.
Nonetheless, one important aspect unaccounted for, and one which would be to the chagrin of many, is the unparalleled financial security India’s armed forces offers to its soldiers. Contrary to what a high GDP would paint, a huge majority of India’s young demography are surviving on odd jobs in the unorganised sector. Other dynamics cannot be ruled out but it also cannot be ignored that they see the armed forces, the army in particular, as the route to climb the social ladder.
Some have college degrees but a large majority does not; economic constraints preventing the latter from pursuing a decent higher education, lowering the chance of making it in other paying job markets. For them, a place in the army, as a foot soldier, is a good bet to acquire a certain level of social standing.
With the Agnipath scheme, their aspiration came crushing down. The protestors, who were looking forward to a life of financial security (with great risks, of course) in the army, now have to either choose between a 4 year stint or odd jobs.
They were angry not because their chances of serving the nation as career soldiers were drastically weakened. They were angry because the government upturned their one shot at hauling their families out from the pits of poverty.
A career in the military is more than just a job. ‘It is a calling,’ has been the conventional ideal, but to many, who enlist, it is as much a job.
The aspiration to lead a decent life, ensuring parents have a decent life far outweighs the high risks involved. While enlisting, they know they are sacrificing their life in the altar of economic pursuit.
The writer is a Principal Correspondent at The Morung Express. Comments can be sent to imkongwalls@gmail.com
