Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has criticised the use of police force against students protesting in Ranchi, saying their concerns should be addressed through dialogue rather than confrontation.
Gandhi’s remarks came as thousands of job aspirants gathered in Jharkhand’s capital over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The agitation intensified on Monday when protesters marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly and security forces used water cannons, tear gas and lathicharge after barricades were breached.
Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action Against Students
Reacting to the developments, Gandhi said peaceful demonstrations should not be met with force and called on the Jharkhand government to engage directly with the protesting aspirants.“Using force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have the right to protest peacefully, and a solution can only come through dialogue. The Jharkhand government should listen to these students and immediately resolve every problem.”
He also reiterated his opposition to violence against students who take to the streets to raise concerns over their education, examinations and employment prospects.
“Attacking students who are protesting peacefully with violence is something we are against,” Gandhi said, stressing that the government should address their grievances through discussion.
Ranchi Protest Escalates As Students March Towards Assembly
The student agitation has been continuing for more than two weeks, with protesters demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and greater transparency in the selection process.
The situation became tense in Ranchi on Monday as thousands of aspirants attempted to move towards the state Assembly. Police deployed water cannons and tear gas and carried out a lathicharge after sections of the crowd attempted to cross security barricades.
The protesters have been seeking cancellation of examinations they allege were affected by irregularities, along with an independent investigation into the matter.
Political Pressure Mounts On Hemant Soren Government
Gandhi’s intervention adds another political dimension to the controversy, particularly because the Jharkhand government is led by an alliance that includes the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
The BJP has already questioned the Congress over its response to the Ranchi protests, especially in light of Gandhi’s repeated criticism of police action during protests in Delhi.
The latest developments are therefore putting the Congress in a politically sensitive position as its senior leader demands that the Jharkhand government resolve the students’ grievances through talks.
Rahul Gandhi’s Jantar Mantar Stand Adds To Political Debate
Gandhi’s comments also come against the backdrop of his recent criticism of police action during protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. He has been demanding accountability from Union Home Minister Amit Shah over that incident.
With a similar confrontation now unfolding in Ranchi, Gandhi has maintained that governments should listen to protesting students rather than resort to force.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand government has maintained that it has addressed a large majority of the students’ demands, while the protesters dispute that assessment. The standoff continues as pressure builds on the state government to find a resolution.
The controversy also intensified with the arrest of former JPSC chairperson L. Khiangte by the Jharkhand CID in connection with alleged recruitment examination irregularities.
