Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the use of force against students protesting irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, saying students have a right to peaceful protest and that dialogue is the way to resolve the issue.

His remarks came as job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi amid their ongoing agitation, which entered its 17th day. Police used water cannons, lobbed tear gas shells and lathi-charged job aspirants after they breached barricades and closed in on the Assembly premises.

Rahul Gandhi backs students’ right to protest

Rahul Gandhi said the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand was wrong and urged the state government to continue listening to their concerns.

He said the students should be allowed to exercise their right to peaceful protest and called for dialogue to find a solution to the dispute.

Gandhi also urged the Jharkhand government to resolve the students’ issues immediately.

His statement came amid criticism from the BJP over his earlier silence on the students’ agitation in Jharkhand, where the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government is backed by Congress, an ally in the INDIA bloc. 

Students march towards Jharkhand Assembly

The protest march began from outside the old Assembly building at around 10.30 am and coincided with Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s 51st birthday.

The agitators are demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) amid allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Police deployed water cannons and tear gas and carried out a lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades while approaching the Assembly premises.

Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day fast over the issue, also joined the march in an ambulance. He was seen carrying a portrait of former chief minister Shibu Soren.

Mahto objected to the installation of barbed-wire barricades along the route and said anger was brewing among students over what they described as injustices. 

Government talks fail to break deadlock

The Jharkhand government has held several rounds of talks with the protesters, but the discussions have not resolved the standoff.

The protesters have said that the government agreed to cancel only three of the 13 examinations they want scrapped.

Mahto said the protesters would not hold talks with the government at this stage, alleging that the government was trying to suppress their voice. 

A protester, Sanjay Mahto, who said he was injured in the police lathi-charge, said his head and legs were hurting and that his head was bleeding.

Rahul Gandhi raises issue of student protests

Rahul Gandhi’s comments also come against the backdrop of the Opposition’s criticism of the Centre over police action during student protests in Delhi and Bihar.

In a newspaper column, Gandhi questioned the Union government’s response to the police crackdown during the July 20 march towards Parliament and sought accountability over the action against protesters.

The Jharkhand agitation continues amid the students’ demand for changes in the recruitment examination process and reforms in the state’s recruitment commissions.

Thousands of students gathered in Ranchi on Monday and marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly as their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 17th day. Police lathi-charged the protesters and used water cannons and tear gas after some demonstrators breached barricades while attempting to reach the Assembly.

The protesters are demanding reforms in recruitment examinations and a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and paper leaks in tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Police use water cannons, tear gas

The administration had made extensive security arrangements across Ranchi in anticipation of the student march. Barricades were placed at major intersections and sensitive locations, while large numbers of police personnel were deployed.

When some protesters breached the barricades, police used lathi-charge, water cannons and tear gas to disperse them.

As water cannons were deployed, some students were seen dancing while facing the water jets.

The protesters had reached Ranchi from several districts using trains, buses and other vehicles. Police had also checked buses and private vehicles at district borders, along major roads and highways in an attempt to limit the number of students reaching the state capital.

Most schools in Ranchi remained shut on Monday amid the protest.

Former JPSC chairperson arrested

The state CID arrested former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment tests.

Khiangte had resigned from the post on July 22. His arrest came as thousands of students reached the Assembly to press for changes in the recruitment examination system.

The protest was also joined by student leader Devendra Mahto, who is on hunger strike. Six protesters remain on hunger strike as part of the agitation.

Students insist on CBI probe

The latest demonstration followed several rounds of talks between agitating student groups and a government-appointed panel. The sixth round of talks, held on Sunday, failed to persuade the protesters to withdraw their agitation.

The students have maintained their demand for a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.

The state government has claimed that it accepted 98 per cent of the students’ demands and appealed to them to call off the protest. The protesters, however, said the government had agreed to scrap only three of the 13 examinations they wanted cancelled.

JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said the protesters remained firm on their demand for a CBI probe.

JPSC sees major shake-up

The recruitment examination controversy has also led to changes within the JPSC.

Three JPSC members resigned after being summoned by the CID over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren had earlier assured protesters that strict action would be taken against those responsible for irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Meanwhile, BJP leaders staged a protest outside Chief Minister Soren’s residence as the student agitation continued.

The Jharkhand government on Sunday appealed to students protesting over irregularities in recruitment examinations to withdraw their agitation and resolve the issue through dialogue.

A government panel said it was unfortunate that the students remained unwilling to end their protest despite authorities agreeing to most of their demands. The students, however, have maintained that they will continue the agitation until their demand for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities is accepted.

The panel comprising Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh, Labour Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav and Welfare Minister Chamra Linda addressed the media after a two-hour meeting.

Jharkhand government says ready for probes

Sudivya Kumar said the government had no intention of protecting anyone involved in alleged examination irregularities and was ready for investigations.

“It is unfortunate that students are not ready to withdraw the agitation, though we agreed to most of their demands,” Kumar said.

He appealed to the students and their parents to end the agitation and opt for dialogue to resolve the matter.

The government has also launched a portal inviting suggestions from students on examination reforms. Kumar said a Standard Operating Procedure would be prepared for conducting recruitment examinations transparently.

Security arrangements ahead of August 10 march

The panel said security arrangements had been made in view of the students’ planned march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.

It also said steps would be taken to ensure that no student is harassed during the protest.

The students continued to press for a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities despite Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar assuring them of justice.

Students remain firm on CBI probe demand

A fresh round of talks between the government and the protesting students earlier failed to produce a breakthrough.

The authorities said they had accepted 98 per cent of the students’ demands, with the demand for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL examination remaining the key point of disagreement.

Despite six rounds of talks, the students have continued their agitation, insisting that the alleged irregularities be investigated by the CBI.