Protests are underway against new military HR scheme ‘Agnipath’
New Delhi:
Election strategist Prashant Kishor has delved into the controversy surrounding the new military recruitment program ‘Agnipath’, particularly the violent protests in Bihar, where Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s BJP and Janata Dal (United) are in power in an alliance .
Mr Kishor, who was sacked by Mr Kumar as his party’s No. 2 in 2020, pointed to new friction between the two alliance partners over attacks by ‘Agnipath’ protesters on the homes of BJP leaders in Bihar.
“For Agnipath, there should be agitation, not violence and sabotage. The people of Bihar are most heavily burdened with the conflict between JDU (Janata Dal United) and BJP. Bihar is on fire and leaders of both sides are busy sparring and oppose – blaming each other instead of solving the case,” Kishor tweeted.
#Agnipath होना चाहिए, और तोड़फोड़ नहीं।
की जनता #JDU #BJP तनातनी का ख़ामियाज़ा भुगत रही है। जल रहा है और दोनों दल के नेता मामले को सुलझाने के बजाए एक दूसरे पर छींटाकशी और आरोप प्रत्यारोप में व्यस्थ हैं।
— Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKshor) June 19, 2022
Bihar’s BJP chief, whose house was vandalized by ‘Agnipath’ protesters, yesterday criticized Nitish Kumar’s government for what he called insufficient efforts to stop violent protests in the state. The home of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and several BJP offices were also vandalized by the protesters.
“When we called the fire service, they said fire trucks will only come if the local government official allows it,” a visibly upset Mr. Jaiwal told reporters yesterday, referring to state officials’ inaction to the attack at his home in Bihar’s Bettiah town. to prevent. on Friday. “We are part of the state government alliance, but nothing like this has happened anywhere in the country, it only happens in Bihar. As the leader of the BJP, I condemn this incident and if it is not stopped, it will happen.” be no good to anyone,” the Bihar BJP chief told reporters.
Mr Kumar’s party took note of the BJP leader’s aggressive warnings. JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan fired back at the alliance partner for unnecessarily blaming the JD(U) for the protests.
“The central government has made a decision. There are also protests in other states. Young people are worried about their future, so they came out to protest. Of course violence is not the way. We cannot accept violence. But the BJP would also listen to what concerns these young people, their concerns. Instead, the BJP blames the administration. What would the government do?” Ranjan said in a video statement, adding that a “frustrated BJP is blaming the government for its inability to contain the protestors’ anger.”
Meanwhile, protests continue in some states, with the most severe in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Bihar. The center has announced several concessions during the protests. There will be a 10 percent quota for jobs in the Department of Defense, spanning Coast Guard and Civil Defense posts, and all 16 public sector defense companies. This reservation would be an addition to the existing reservation for ex-servicemen.
In addition, the government announced a 10 percent reservation for ‘Agniveers’ in the Central Armed Police Forces, or CAPFs, and the Assam Rifles, which fall under the Ministry of Defense.
