Unemployed protesting at PM’s event arrested; Pilot flays Raje

Rajasthan Congress chief Sachin Pilot on Monday condemned the action by the state government against those who peacefully protested against Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jhunjhunu.

A section from the crowd waved black flags to draw her and Modi's attention towards their demands on the International Women's Day on March 8 in the town.

Soon after the event, the government directed for the arrest of protesters, Pilot said, adding that democracy allows the people to protest peacefully to raise their demands.

"However, those who did the same during Modi's visit in Jhunjhunu are being subjected to suppressive actions which should be strongly condemned," he said. “These are a chunk of unemployed people facing the brunt of tall promises made by the state government. They protested as the promises remained unmet. However, instead of paying heed to their demands, they are being arrested," the Congress leader added.

Nine contractual workers have since been arrested, and others grilled for no reason which is against democracy, he added.

Pilot said the government had promised to give permanent jobs to the unemployed and contractual workers, but even after remaining in power for four years, it had not fulfilled the promise, forcing them to protest to draw attention to their demands.