“Those protesting against the Agnipath scheme are jihadis or they are those with vested interest,” said Bihar BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur.
In a shocking statement amid widespread protests over the centre’s new army recruitment scheme, BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur on Monday said that those who are protesting against the Agnipath scheme are Jihadis. They have nothing do with patriotism, the saffron party legislator from Bihar added.
“Those protesting against the Agnipath scheme are jihadis or they are those with vested interest. Those who want to serve the nation are very happy with the scheme. This is not a job but a service to the nation. People have to sacrifice their lives for it,” Thakur said in a now viral video of media interaction.
“I want to say that this is not a job for those who want privilege and luxury in the defence forces. If you are pursuing BA course, you get degree in 6 years in some universities due to delayed session. Here, we are giving an opportunity to the youth to serve the nation for 4 years with salary, retirement funds and post retirement jobs in other sectors and paramilitary forces,” the BJP MLA from Bipsi in Madhubani district said.
“The violence which is taking place is planned. Without planning such a large scale violence cannot take place. You’re setting the train on fire, attacking BJP leaders. I must say some people are misleading the youth of the country,” he further added.
Watch the video here:
Meanwhile, protests continued across the country on Monday against the centre’s Agnipath recruitment scheme.
With the government refusing to back down on the ‘Agnipath’ military recruitment scheme, some groups have called for a ‘Bharat Bandh’ on Monday to coincide with the continuing protests calling for the plan to be scrapped.
Over 500 trains have been cancelled today as a result of the Bharat Bandh call in some regions of the country in protest of the government’s ‘Agnipath’ short-term armed forces recruiting strategy. Over the last five days, the railways have experienced a significant loss of property owing to arson and violence by demonstrators.
As the police have strengthened security across the city and its adjoining districts, traffic bottlenecks have occurred in several parts of Delhi. There were massive traffic congestion on the Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway as well as the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. The police have warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt the law and order situation would face severe consequences.
Congress leaders staged a ‘Satyagraha’ at Jantar Mantar in the national capital to show support for armed military candidates challenging the ‘Agnipath’ plan. Several organisations will organise an unified movement at the protest site, according to Delhi Minister Gopal Rai.
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