Tensions escalated in Jaipur on Wednesday as police clashed with Rajasthan Congress workers during a planned march to surround the State Assembly. The protest, organized by the Sports Cell of the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, saw the deployment of water cannons and the use of force by security personnel to prevent demonstrators from reaching the legislative building. According to police officials, the intervention was necessary to maintain public order and prevent the breach of high-security zones near the 22 Godam area.
Origin of the Protest March
The demonstration began at Sahakar Bhavan located at 22 Godam, where hundreds of workers from the Congress Sports Cell gathered early in the day. Led by the cell's president, Amin Pathan, the protesters aimed to voice their opposition against the current government's policies and highlight various public grievances. The gathering served as a platform for senior party leaders to address the workers before initiating the march toward the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
Police Intervention and Use of Force
30 PM, the protesters encountered multi-layered barricades set up by the Jaipur Police. When the workers attempted to bypass the barriers, a physical confrontation ensued between the police and the activists. To disperse the surging crowd, the police initially used water cannons. When the situation remained tense, a mild lathi charge was conducted to push back the protesters, leading to a chaotic scene at the protest site as workers scrambled for safety.
Participation of Senior Congress Leadership
The protest saw the active participation of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee President Govind Singh Dotasra and the Leader of Opposition, Tika Ram Jully, while during the preliminary meeting at 22 Godam, Dotasra was seen encouraging the workers and demonstrating solidarity through symbolic gestures. The senior leadership condemned the police action, labeling it an attempt to stifle democratic dissent, while they maintained that the protest was a legitimate exercise of their right to question the administration.
Reports of Injuries and Official Statements
Amin Pathan, President of the Rajasthan Congress Sports Cell, claimed that the police action resulted in injuries to more than 12 workers. He described the use of water cannons and force as an act of brutality by the state machinery, while pathan stated that such measures wouldn't deter the party from raising the issues of the youth and the general public. He emphasized that the struggle for public welfare would continue regardless of the challenges posed by the authorities.
Current Security Situation in Jaipur
Following the clash, security has been Importantly beefed up across the 22 Godam area and the routes leading to the State Assembly. Additional police personnel have been deployed to monitor the situation and prevent any further escalation, while while the police maintain that the use of force was a last resort to manage an unruly crowd, the Congress party has called for accountability regarding the treatment of its workers. The area remains under close surveillance as political tensions continue to simmer.