Terrorists behind Agnipath violence: Bihar Minister

Patna, June 21 (IANS) A day after BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur likened the Agnipath protesters to "Jehadis", another party MLA and cabinet minister Ram Surat Rai on Tuesday claimed the violence to be a handiwork of terrorists and political goons.

"Terrorists and political goons are behind the violence," Rai told the mediapersons.

"The opposition parties provoked students and anti-social elements and political goons were involved in the violence," Rai said.

"In the initial stage of the agitation, there were some students who protested against the government. They now understand the Agnipath scheme but the opposition parties hired some of them who indulged in violence. In the garb of the protest, the anti-social elements and political goons hi-jacked the protest and indulged in massive violence in the state," he said.

"Agitation and violence are not in the interest of the country. Opposition parties neither have sense nor vision to understand this scheme and they are blaming PM Narendra Modi. I strongly condemn it. The Congress leaders lack sense and undulge in cheap politics. The youth of the country are understanding now. Some of them did involve in violence but a large section of them have understood the concept," he said.

On Monday, BJP MLA Hari Bhushan Thakur said that those who are protesting against the Centre's Agnipath scheme are "Jehadis", adding that they have nothing to do with patriotism.

"Those protesting against Agnipath scheme are 'Jehadis'. Youth who want to serve the nation are very happy with the scheme. This is not a job but this is a service to the nation. Patriotism is not a cheap thing, people have to sacrifice their lives for it," Thakur said.