BJP workers were today stopped by the police as they were marching towards Rajasthan Chief Minister’s residence.
Jaipur:
A day after Rajasthan Police detained BJP leader Kirori Lal Meena, party workers staged another protest in Jaipur today. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot accused Mr. Meena of using widows for political gains. In turn, Mr. Meena has accused the police of “trying to kill him”.
The protest turned violent today as the protesters were marching towards Mr Gehlot’s residence.
#Watch , A massive protest rally was organized by BJP workers in Rajasthan’s Jaipur in the matter of protest by the widows of jawans who lost their lives in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. pic.twitter.com/myYrYM4jA7
– ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2023
While the protesters pelted stones and broke the police barricades, the police resorted to lathicharge.
The protests, which have been going on for almost two weeks, are being led by widows of soldiers killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack demanding jobs for the families and other issues. Widows protesting outside Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot’s house in Jaipur were removed by the police on Friday morning and shifted to hospitals near their residential areas.
Shri Gehlot today met the widows of soldiers who were martyred in earlier operations. He told them that government jobs should be given to their children only. The widows of the soldiers who were martyred in the Pulwama attack did not meet Gehlot.
The BJP criticized the state government, calling the action an “insult to the widows” and accused it of not fulfilling promises made to the families.
Reacting to the police action, Mr Pilot told reporters in Tonk that the issues of widows should be heard with sensitivity.
He said, “Even today I believe that we can fulfill the demands like building roads, building houses and installing statues. The message should not go that we are not ready to listen to the demands of the widows of the martyrs. That is another matter. What do we do?” Agree with their issues or not, but keep your ego aside while listening to their demands,” the Congress leader said.
The widows have been protesting since February 28, demanding a change in rules so that not only their relatives but also their children can get government jobs on compassionate ground. Their other demands include construction of roads and installation of statues of martyrs in their villages.