FACING countrywide protests over the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, the BJP on Friday rallied its leaders to put up a stout defence of the new recruitment initiative for the Armed Forces, with its senior leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh terming it as a “golden opportunity” for the youth to serve the country.

Singh said on Friday appealed the youth to start preparing for recruitment under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.

The Centre’s decision to increase the upper age limit for joining the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in defence services will benefit a large number of youth, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the decision to raise the upper age limit to 23 years from 21 for candidates under the ‘Agnipath’ scheme for 2022 will benefit those who have fallen out of the age bracket to join the Armed Forces.

BJP President J P Nadda said it shows that PM Modi is fully seized of the concerns of the country’s youth and is making efforts for their bright future.

Meanwhile, the agitation against the Agnipath scheme turned violent as it continued for a third straight day in Bihar with protesters allegedly attacking the houses of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Bihar BJP president and West Champaran MP Sanjay Jaiswal. Amid widespread protests against the Agnipath scheme, the Congress on Friday demanded its immediate rollback, saying it is neither in the interest of the country nor its security.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) on Friday made a fresh plea to the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre for an immediate review of the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, and assure protesting youngsters that their future will not be adversely affected by the new recruitment policy in the Armed Forces.