During firing practice at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra’s Nashik district on Friday, two Agniveers were fatally injured when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded. The two deceased individuals are known as Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21). As per reports from a government representative, a group of Agniveers was operating an Indian field gun when one of the projectiles detonated. Both individuals were injured and transported to MH Hospital in Deolali, where they were declared deceased.
According to an official, a case of accidental death has been registered with the Deolali Camp police following a complaint from Havildar Ajit Kumar, and further investigations are currently being conducted. The Agnipath program, unveiled on June 14, 2022, intends to enlist individuals aged 17.5 to 21 years in the military for a four-year duration, which includes training.
Agniveers are recruited into the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy under this program, serving for a period of four years. Following this time frame, 25 percent of Agniveers are selected to serve in the Indian Army permanently. Agniveers receive a salary of approximately Rs 4.76 lakhs in their initial year, rising to about Rs 6.92 lakhs by the fourth year. Every Agniveer must give 30 percent of their monthly income to a service fund, with the government also providing an equal contribution.
The plan offers Agniveers a life insurance cover of Rs 48 lakhs without the need for contributions. If death occurs while serving, the family will receive Rs 44 lakhs as an ex gratia payment, in addition to the accumulated service fund amount. Since the beginning, the Agniveer scheme has been a topic of debate, receiving backlash from different segments of society, including politicians. Critics have pointed out that the program is missing perks like bonuses, pension plans, stability in employment, and various other aspects.
Questions have also been raised regarding the four-year service duration and the fate of the 75 per cent of Agniveers who leave the program at the end of this period. There were widespread protests against this plan in multiple states, such as Bihar, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Several opposition leaders, such as senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav, have openly criticized the scheme. They contend that it puts the futures of numerous youths at risk and weakens the courage of the military. The debate over the program also emerged as a major electoral topic during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.