Prime Minister Narendra today said it is India's "misfortune" that good intentions get trapped in politics. His remarks come amid nationwide protests against the Centre's new military recruitment scheme 'Agnipath'. The prime minister, however, made no direct reference to the scheme in his speech which was largely focused on the infrastructure and development work his government has been doing for the Delhi-NCR region.
"It is our country's misfortune that many good things brought with good intentions get trapped in political colours. Media also gets dragged into it due to its TRP compulsions," PM Modi said at a public event in New Delhi.
The 'Agnipath' scheme, which was unveiled by the government on Tuesday, aims to bring in men and women between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 into the armed forces for a four-year tenure.
The BJP has come under fire with hundreds of potential recruits protesting against the shorter tenure.
The protests continue in several states, the most intense being in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar. The Centre has announced several concessions amid the protests. There will be a 10 per cent quota in Defence Ministry jobs, spread across the Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 defence public sector undertakings. This reservation would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen.
"Cannot Have Enough Of You": Guyana President Praises PM Modi's Leadership PM Modi Leaves For Home After Concluding Three-Nation Visit "Era Of Cooperation, Not Conflict": PM Says Democracy, Not Expansionism Is The Way "Thousand Times Better...": Delhi Lt Governor's Surprise For AAP's Atishi "World War 3 Has Begun": Ukraine Ex-Military Commander Amid Russia Conflict 2 Children Strangled To Death In Bengaluru, Parents Blame Each Other: Cops China Secretly Placing Hackers To Cripple Critical US Infra: Top Official Satellite Imagery Exposes Russia Smuggling Illicit Oil To North Korea PM Attended 31 Bilateral Meetings During His 5 Days Of 3-Country Tour Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.