Rajasthan CM Gehlot meets war widows as protest by Pulwama widows simmers

The Pulwama widows have been protesting since February 28, demanding a change in rules so that their relatives and not just children can get government jobs on compassionate grounds

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on March 11 met a delegation of war widows from across the State who supported the current policies of his government for the families of the martyrs, amid a simmering protest by the widows of three CRPF jawans killed in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.

The Pulwama widows have been protesting since February 28, demanding a change in rules so that their relatives and not just children can get government jobs on compassionate grounds. Their other demands include the construction of roads and the installation of statues of the martyrs in their villages. Early Friday, they were removed by Rajasthan police from the protest site outside Congress leader Sachin Pilot's residence in Jaipur.

Without naming Mr. Gehlot, Mr. Pilot told reporters in Tonk that the issue should be heard keeping ego aside.

"I believe we can fulfil demands like laying roads, erecting houses and installing statues. A message should not go out that we are not ready to listen to the demands of the widows of the martyrs," he added.

On Saturday, Mr. Gehlot met a group of war widows from across the State who supported the current policies of the Rajasthan government for them, an official statement said. It said this group of widows expressed the view that demonstrating on "unfair demands" affect the image of all war widows.

"Salute to war widows. Salute to the sacrifice," Mr. Gehlot tweeted after meeting the war widows at his residence.

"Expressing their feelings, the widows of the martyrs gave their support to the current policies of the State Government. It is not appropriate to give the jobs and rights of war widows and their children to someone else. The State Government will always stand with the martyrs and their families," the Chief Minister said.