Pokhara, August 12: In a significant demonstration, Nepali youth and families of former Indian Army soldiers gathered in the western city of Pokhara to demand that young Nepalis be allowed to enlist as Agniveers under the Indian Army’s Agniveer scheme.
Recruitment of Gorkhas into the Indian Army has been halted since 2019. Initially, the process was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the launch of the Agniveer scheme in 2022, Nepal imposed a ban on the recruitment of its youth.
Under the Agniveer scheme, only 25% of recruits are offered permanent positions after four years of service. The remaining 75% are released with a lump sum payment and do not receive pensions or other long-term benefits.
The Nepali government argues that this scheme does not align with the provisions of the tripartite agreement made between India, Nepal, and the UK in 1947, which is why recruitment of Nepali youth into the Indian Army has been halted.
Despite limited employment opportunities in Nepal, many young people still wish to join the Indian Army under the Agniveer scheme. However, the Nepali government has not permitted the recruitment process to resume.
In response to this situation, a group of Nepali youth organized a rally in Pokhara, a major tourist destination in western Nepal, urging the government to reverse its stance and allow recruitment under the Agniveer scheme.
The protest was organized under the banner of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Gorkha Brigade Nepal, with participation from former soldiers, their family members, and youth who have undergone training for recruitment in foreign armies.
Protesters carried placards demanding the resumption of recruitment for Nepali youth under the Agniveer scheme. They argued that instead of forcing Nepali youth to seek employment in Gulf countries, they should be given the opportunity to join the Indian Army as Agniveers.
In their key demands shared on social media, they called for the immediate resumption of the Agniveer recruitment process, emphasizing its importance for securing employment opportunities for Nepali youth and preserving the identity and traditions of Gorkha soldiers.
The demonstrators also insisted that there should be no restrictions on the registration of organizations representing ex-servicemen that include the term ‘Ex-Servicemen’ in their names. They argued that such organizations are essential for protecting the dignity, rights, and interests of former soldiers.
The rally began at Pokhara Stadium and concluded at the District Administration Office, where the organizers submitted a memorandum to the Chief District Officer of Kaski district in front of a large gathering.
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