Haryana: Khaps threaten to 'socially isolate' youths who participate in Agnipath scheme
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Chandigarh: Khap panchayat leaders and some farmer union representatives have announced to "socially isolate" youths who participate in the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the armed forces in Haryana.
A panchayat was called on Wednesday at Sampla town of Rohtak district in which representatives of various khaps from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan & Punjab and members of student organisations participated.
An indefinite sit-in was also started at Chhotu Ram statue in Sampla to extend full support to youths protesting against the scheme. Om Prakash Dhankar, head of Dhankar khap, who presided over the meeting, said that after deliberating for about four years, many decisions were taken by the representatives who assembled from different places.
"We will try to socially isolate those who apply for this recruitment. We are boycotting this scheme which wants young people to be hired as labourers in the name of being an 'Agniveer'." Asked if this amounts to a boycott of the applicants, he said, "We are not using the word 'boycott' for them, but the community will keep a distance from such people."
He said that the first decision was to withdraw cases against youths who were booked during agitation of the Agnipath scheme.
A memorandum would be given at the DC office on June 24, containing the demands of decisions taken in the meeting on Wednesday.
The Agnipath scheme has elicited protests across the country for it provides for only four years of service, after which at least 75 percent of the recruits will be let go without pensionary benefits.
He did call for a "boycott" of corporate houses and politicians who have supported the scheme announced on June 14. "People will be urged not to buy any products for over ₹ 10,000 from these companies," he said, citing the reported boycott of Indian products in countries in the Gulf after some BJP representatives made comments about Prophet Muhammad some weeks ago.
About immediate demands, Mr. Dhankar said cases against protesters booked during the agitation against the scheme should be withdrawn. There will now be a "permanent protest" at Chhotu Ram Dham in Sampla, and people from across the region should join it, he said.