Bihar– this state has been taking outcrying efforts to purify its premises which is otherwise known for illiteracy, surging rates of crimes, protests, and whatnot. Bihar has a long history of agitations with people taking stands against the implementation of various government policies which they are communicating are against their needs. And the same is on verge of recreation.
Recurrent protests happening in Bihar and the destruction caused by it
Currently, Bihar is under persistent violent protests against the newly launched “Agnipath Scheme”. On 17 June, the protesters attacked dozens of railway coaches, engines, and stations. The flames of the vandalized railway properties can be seen to date. This further propelled the police to suspend internet services in the state.
A senior railway official told that the protests against the Agnipath military recruitment scheme have caused the destruction of various properties which is worth Rs. 200 crore and around 50 coaches with 5 engines were completely burnt.
Prabhat Kumar, the Divisional Manager for the Danapur Rail Division said that the platforms, computer systems, and other technical equipment were also damaged amidst the demand raised by students for the withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme.
Read more: Anti-CAA or Anti-Hindu? A Hanuman Mandir was vandalized by goons during Bihar protests
What is the Agnipath scheme?
The scheme includes a recruitment process for individuals who are aspiring to join Defense Forces. The scheme aims at deploying fitter and younger troops at our borders. It includes the selection of 25 per cent of Agniveers in the permanent cadre of the Armed Forces. While the other 75 per cent will have a chance to plan their varied career paths. With this lifetime opportunity, the Agniveers will also get a benefit of Rs. 12 lakh as a financial package.
This is not the first protest in Bihar
Bihar is a state which is very well-versed with terms including protests, agitation, and controversies. It’s not new to Bihar that its people are acting against a particular government policy or scheme. Whether it’s Lalu Yadav or Nitish Kumar, the region has maintained its previously demarcated definition as a state.
In 2020, students were protesting against the paper leak of the Bihar Public Service Commission examination. The students were claiming that the seal of the question paper was broken before its distribution to candidates.
In 2019, during the anti-CAA protests, Hanuman Mandir in Patna was destructed and vandalized showcasing the intolerance towards Hindus. There were several vehicles, buildings, temples, and public properties that were destructed. Several people went on Dharnas for their demands to be considered.
Read more: Prohibition turns Bihar Police into a bootlegging industry
In 2018, there were protests against the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) paper leak. A huge bunch of students gathered at Parliament Street. They were demanding a CBI probe into the case to uncover the malfunctioning that led to the paper leak of SSC examinations. It was believed that since the examinations were conducted online, these problems got irrupted eventually causing the students to raise their voices.
In 2015, several members of the Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were injured when the police opened fire to control the protest during a march against the complete collapse of the education system in Bihar. The incident was also compared to the Jallianwala Bagh police firing.
Nitish Kumar didn’t come for Bihar’s security
But, protests in Nitish’s Bihar are hardly a recent phenomenon. When Nitish came to power, people expected that things would change, so they waited for a while. But it did not transpire, and within a few months, people were out on the streets.
In 2007, there were hundreds of people who were protesting, marching, and even burnt effigies of the then Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi. The protest was organised against the killings of over 50 migrant labourers from the state by militants in Assam. The protestors were demanding that the government must ensure the safety and security of Bihari workers and families in Assam.
Read more: BPSC paper leaks in Bihar, the ‘Sushasan’ gets a huge boost
In 2005, RJD chief and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav was voted out of power in Bihar. This was further led by the imposition of the President’s rule in Bihar by dissolving the Bihar assembly. Various other violent protests hit Bihar in the next 5 to 7 years.
The image of Bihar as a state
All these are just some of the incidents that have shaken the conscience of the state of Bihar. The list is still long enough that it can cumulatively encompass the number of protests in a few other states as well.
Bihar as a region is well-versed with its culture. It has significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites, its famous Bodhi Tree, Mahavir Mandir, Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Ji Gurudwara, and a lot more. But still, the state is famous for its backwardness and dirty politics.
The recurrent agitations can be cited as an example of the revival of “Jungle Raj” in Bihar. The present Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has left the state living in utter debris which the concerned authorities are not even willing to correct. It’s high time for the officials and power holders to modify the sarcastic image that Bihar has been portraying so far.
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