The political fallout from Monday’s clashes between police and protesting students spilled onto the streets of Jharkhand on Tuesday, with the BJP enforcing a statewide bandh to protest the police action during the aspirants’ march towards the state Assembly.
In Ranchi, BJP workers blocked roads at several locations and set tyres on fire, disrupting traffic and bringing normal activity to a halt in parts of the city. Police said road blockades were reported near the CMPDI gate on Kanke Road, as well as in Kishorganj, Argora and Kanke.
Tyres were also reportedly burnt near Nucleus Mall, Harmu Chowk and Kishorganj Chowk. Visuals from Ranchi showed a minor confrontation between police personnel and BJP workers as authorities attempted to clear the affected roads.
The shutdown was announced by the Jharkhand BJP from 8 am until midnight in protest against the use of tear gas, water cannons and batons on students during Monday’s Assembly march.
BJP Slams Hemant Soren Government Over Student Protest
Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu criticised the police action, describing it as “atrocities” against students. The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren-led government of using force against aspirants instead of addressing their concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The students, however, have maintained that their agitation is independent of political parties.
Student leader Piyush said protesters would welcome support for their demands but would not become associated with any political organisation.“We are not explicitly endorsing any specific party. If someone calls for a shutdown in our support, we welcome it, but we students have no connection to politics or political parties,” Piyush said.
He added that the protesters’ focus remained on their demands concerning recruitment examinations and reforms.
Schools, Businesses Affected As Bandh Hits Ranchi
The bandh affected daily life across several areas, with many schools and commercial establishments remaining shut. Traffic was also significantly lighter than usual in Ranchi and other parts of the state.
Essential services were kept outside the scope of the shutdown, according to the BJP.
Meanwhile, the students’ core group is expected to meet to determine its next course of action. Protesters have indicated that they want to hold discussions directly with Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Students Clash With Police During Assembly March
The BJP bandh followed a tense day in Ranchi on Monday, when thousands of students marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The protesters breached several barricades as they advanced towards the Assembly. Police eventually stopped them near the fourth Assembly gate after the crowd crossed three gates.
Authorities used water cannons and tear gas before resorting to a lathi-charge to disperse the protesters. Several students later claimed they were injured, while Ranchi Police said 14 police personnel were injured during the clashes.
The demonstration also drew attention for unusual forms of protest. Some aspirants used costumes and symbolic acts to highlight their grievances, including one student dressed as a gorilla and another appearing shirtless with a bowl. Another protester reportedly travelled from Mumbai dressed as the lead character from Pushpa.
Hunger-Striking Leader Hospitalised
Student activist Devendra Nath Mahto, who had been on hunger strike for nine days, was taken away from the protest on a stretcher after his health deteriorated. He was subsequently admitted to hospital.
The Jharkhand Health Minister’s office said Mahto’s condition was stable and that he was out of danger.
Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari later visited Sadar Hospital in Ranchi and met Mahto and other protesters who had been admitted following Monday’s confrontation.
Protesters Demand Independent Probe
The student agitation has continued since July 25. Protesters are demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, reforms in the JPSC and JSSC, cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation.
They have sought either a CBI probe or an inquiry by retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
The BJP has backed the demand for an independent investigation, while the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also condemned the alleged police action and announced plans for another Assembly march.
With the BJP bandh now adding a political dimension to the recruitment-exam controversy, pressure is mounting on the Jharkhand government to find a way to end the prolonged standoff with the protesting aspirants.
