CM Bommai calls Agnipath row politically motivated; people are misguided

www.mangaloretoday.com

Bengaluru, June 19, 2022: While the protests over the Centre’s Agnipath scheme continue for the fifth consecutive day, triggering massive agitation and violence across the country including in Karnataka, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, while speaking on the situation, claimed that the ongoing protests were "politically motivated". He also added that the protestors are being misguided by some people.

While lauding the Centre’s military recruitment policy, CM Bommai said that it is a  "unique concept", and "some people are blocking the future of the youth by opposing the scheme". He also asserted that such violent protests should not happen.

Earlier on Saturday, while several parts of the state witnessed serious violent clashes between protesters and police officials, the police had to resort to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd as many were trying to hurl stones at public properties. Speaking on these escalations in violence, the Karnataka CM on Saturday also informed that necessary measures have been taken to maintain the law and order in the state, according to PTI.

Notably, CM Basavaraj Bommai was among the key leaders who welcomed the initiative and lauded the subsequent decision to increase the upper age limit for recruitment under the Agnipath scheme. In a series of tweets, he stated that PM Modi has acted sensitively towards the needs of the people by relaxing the age limit.