“Security is a dynamic concept. It cannot remain static. It is only about the environment which we have to protect the national interest.”
New Delhi: Amid the countrywide protests over the Centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme for the defence forces, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has backed the government.
“There’s a need to look at it from a different perspective. Agnipath isn’t a standalone scheme in itself. When PM Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, one of his priorities was how to make India secure and strong. That required many avenues and steps. Agnipath is in that direction,” he said while speaking to news agency ANI.
“Broadly speaking, these avenues come under the four heads — changes in equipment; systems and structures; technology; and futuristic policies on manpower,” the NSA added.
He also said that the concept of war is undergoing a great change. “We are moving toward contactless wars and now, wars are against invisible enemies. Technology is taking over at a rapid pace. If we have to prepare for tomorrow and then we have to change,” Mr Doval added.
Mr Doval further said, n “Security is a dynamic concept. It cannot remain static. It is only about the environment, in which we have to protect our national interest and national assets.
Agniveers will never constitute the whole army. Those Agniveers who become regulars eventually will undergo intensive training and acquire experience the NSA said while explaining the scheme.
He said two sections of people were protesting — one which is confused and misled and another that wants anarchy and unrest. “Anyone who wants to join the defence forces would be at home preparing. But those who are burning public property have vested interests he said about the violence which took place during the protests against the armed forces recruitment scheme.
“However, as the confusion and fears are dispelled, many are leaving the protests,” Mr Doval said.
The NSA highlighting the youth of the country said “Every youth of this country who has got the desire and motivation and feels a sense of commitment to defend the country gets an opportunity. His energy and talent are used to make this country strong.”
Speculations that the scheme would affect regiments were also rubbished by Mr Doval “As far as regiments are concerned, two things need to be understood. Nobody is tinkering with the concept of regiments. They (regiments) will continue. The regimental system has not ended.”
Following the annoucement of the Agnipath scheme there were protests across the country which later turned into violence, stone pelting and arson.
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