NEW DELHI: The violent protests against the central government’s Agnipath Scheme saw huge damages being done to public properties with Indian Railways bearing the brunt most.
Amid the violent protests, the opposition Congress appealed to the protestors to register their displeasure in a peaceful manner.
On Sunday, party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi called for peaceful protest during Congress’s ‘Satyagrah’ at Jantar Mantar. Earlier on Saturday party president Sonia Gandhi too appealed to protesters to observe restraint and maintain peace as the party demanded its rollback.
However, the irony of the appeal cannot be missed as members of the student wing of the party were caught by police in the Saharanpur district while posing as army aspirants and instigating the protestors.
“Rampur Maniharan police have arrested five fake army candidates. Two of them are office bearers of different political outfits, and the remaining three are members of political parties. These five were provoking the armed forces aspirants to agitate and protest,” Akash Tomar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Saharanpur, said.
Among the arrested is 26-year-old Parag Panwar, who is the district president of Congress’ student wing, the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
Meanwhile, calling to topple the government through peaceful means, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “This scheme will kill the youth of the country, will finish the Army. Please see the intent of this government. Topple it through democratic, peaceful and non-violent means. I urge you to protest peacefully but don’t stop. These are your rights, this is your country and it is your duty to protect it.”
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“The way the Modi government had to take back the Farm Laws after a year, so would be the fate of Agnipath scheme,” party leader Sachin Pilot said. He further targeted the Modi government by questioning the brotherhood of the jawans in the Indian Army. “Two and a half years of service in the forces won’t be enough to create brotherhood amongst the jawans,” Pilot stated.
Congress veteran Digvijay Singh criticised the BJP by saying that the party takes the decisions first and chooses to think about the schemes later. “The required inputs of those who would be affected by the schemes are not taken.” Singh quoted.