Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has urged Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to personally meet representatives of students protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations and take steps to resolve their concerns.
In a letter dated August 14, Gandhi described the students’ protest as peaceful and their demands as “legitimate”. He acknowledged that the Jharkhand government had initiated a dialogue through a committee set up by Soren, but noted that the agitation was continuing and some students remained on an indefinite hunger strike.
“I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students,” Gandhi said, adding that such a meeting would “reinforce the government's commitment to resolve their remaining concerns.”
‘Their Demands Are Legitimate’
Gandhi said the Congress supports the students’ right to peaceful protest, describing it as a fundamental pillar of democracy.
“The Congress party believes that the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution of India is one of the central pillars of our democracy,” he said.
He further said that the party had supported students protesting against paper leaks and alleged irregularities in the education system across the country.
Referring specifically to Jharkhand, Gandhi said, “Students in Jharkhand have also been protesting irregularities in the State recruitment examinations. Their protest has been peaceful, and their demands are legitimate.”
Rahul Gandhi Calls For Direct Dialogue
The Congress leader noted that the state government had already begun discussions with the protesting students and that there was reportedly agreement on several of their demands.
However, he pointed out that the continued protests indicated that some issues remained unresolved.
“I appreciate that the Jharkhand government has begun a dialogue with them through a committee instituted by you,” Gandhi wrote. “However, the protests continue, and some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike.”
He urged Soren to listen directly to the protesters and take appropriate action.
“Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue,” Gandhi said.
‘Youth of India Is Its Future’
Emphasising the importance of addressing the concerns of young people, Gandhi said the country's youth must receive solidarity and support during what he described as a moment of crisis. “The youth of India is its future,” he said, adding, “we owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis,” he said.
The Congress is a constituent of the ruling JMM-led government in Jharkhand. Gandhi’s appeal to Soren comes amid continued student protests over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations, with the government facing calls to address the remaining concerns of the protesters.
