Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has criticised the use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand, saying that young people have the right to raise their concerns peacefully and that dialogue is the only way to resolve the issue.
Reacting to the police action against protesting students in Ranchi, Rahul Gandhi said, “Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions.” He urged the Jharkhand government to listen to the concerns of the protesting students and take steps to address their grievances rather than using force to disperse them.
The students had marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi over allegations of irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) preliminary examination. Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge as protesters attempted to cross barricades and move towards the Assembly.
Rahul Gandhi also linked the protests to broader concerns over the country's education and examination system. He said students across the country are increasingly protesting because of problems within the system. “Our education system is collapsed, expensive, and oppressive,” Rahul Gandhi said, arguing that governments must listen to students and introduce necessary reforms.
Jharkhand Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said a CID investigation had been initiated following allegations of irregularities in the 14th JPSC preliminary examination.
According to the government, the JPSC chairman has resigned and 19 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Investigators have also recovered digital and documentary evidence, the minister said.
The government has also agreed to consider the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, along with the 2023 and 2025 backlog examinations, while proposing reforms to the functioning of the JPSC and JSSC.
While the government has accused the BJP of politically influencing the student protests, the protesters have continued to demand a thorough investigation into the alleged examination irregularities, cancellation of the affected examinations and reforms in the recruitment process.
Rahul Gandhi's remarks have added political weight to the issue, with the Congress leader making it clear that force should not be used against students seeking answers and accountability.
