Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reached out to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to meet personally with students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. Gandhi emphasized that such a meeting would demonstrate the government’s commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis. The Congress party is part of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government in the state.
The state government is set to hold the fourth round of dialogue with a student delegation on Monday. The protest and hunger strike against irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment exams have entered the 24th day. The Jharkhand Police’s Crime Investigation Department is probing the exam irregularities and has arrested 20 people, including former JPSC chairman L Khiangte.
Political Accountability in Ongoing Protests
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has commended the Jharkhand government’s efforts to engage with student protesters amid ongoing demonstrations against education irregularities. While agreements have been reached on several demands, some students continue their indefinite hunger strike, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Gandhi emphasized the importance of listening to the youth, stating, “The youth of India is its future. We owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis. Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue.”
A negotiating team consisting of four state ministers, including a Congress representative, is working with the students. However, some protesters are calling for Chief Minister Hemant Soren to intervene directly.
Gandhi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ideological ally, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), for their perceived influence over the education system. He reaffirmed the Congress party’s commitment to supporting peaceful protests, stating, “The right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution of India is one of the central pillars of our democracy. We have, therefore, offered our full support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the last few months.”
