The BJP responded by denying the accusations and said, "Since then, this has become the standard. The hiring procedure remains unchanged."
Digital Desk: In yet another controversy over the Agnipath Scheme, the opposition parties stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to create "Jaativeers" utilising Agniveers in yet another controversy involving the Agnipath Scheme. They stated that caste and religious credentials are now being asked for Agniveer recruitment.
According to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), there is an attempt to use Agniveers to produce Jaativeers. The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) asserted that Agniveer had a caste bias inherent in it that was influenced by the RSS.
The BJP responded by denying the accusations and said, "Since then, this has become the standard. The hiring procedure remains unchanged."
"In 2013, the Indian Army had submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that there is no role of caste as far as the selection process, but there is a column for caste that is required to be filled during the recruitment process as it is an administrative or operative requirement," said Sambit Patra, the national spokesperson for the BJP.
The Indian Army further stressed that the requirements for applicants to submit caste certificates and, if necessary, religion certificates have always been present and that no changes have been made to the Army's recruitment policy for Agniveer. The Agniveer recruitment strategy has not changed in this regard, the Indian Army officials said.
The Army officials added, "Religion is also essential for performing last rites as per religious customs for recruits who pass away during training and soldiers who pass away in service."
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