Congress questions Centre’s plan to place Agniveers in private security firms

The Congress on Tuesday (October 28, 2025) criticised the Centre over a purported Home Ministry notification proposing that retiring Agniveers be absorbed into the country’s top private security agencies. The party accused the government of betraying its promise to provide pensionable jobs to Agniveers in government services.

There was no immediate reaction from the government to the Congress’s claims.

Head of the Congress’s ex-servicemen department, Colonel (retired) Rohit Chaudhry, said the Narendra Modi government had “deceived” soldiers who served the nation. He claimed Union Home Minister Amit Shah had promised in Haryana that Agniveers would be given pensionable jobs after their tenure with the armed forces got over.

“If the government cannot reward those who performed well during Operation Sindoor, it should not mislead them,” Colonel Chaudhry said.

Referring to the purported notification, which has suggested that top private security providers be “sensitised to absorb Agniveers,” Colonel Chaudhry questioned why they were being sent to private agencies instead of being offered stable, pensionable employment.

He reiterated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Agnipath scheme, saying it was enriching corporate interests while weakening national security. “We cannot allow Agniveers to become a private army fighting wars at home or abroad,” Colonel Chaudhry said, adding that the Congress’s “Jai Jawan” campaign would continue to raise the issue.

Calling the Agniveer scheme “disastrous” for the youth and the country’s defence forces, the Congress’ ex-servicemen department chief demanded its immediate withdrawal.