Rahul Gandhi on Monday criticised the use of force against students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations, saying demonstrators have a legitimate right to raise their concerns peacefully.

In a post on X, Gandhi said the situation should be resolved through discussions rather than police action. He urged the Jharkhand government to engage with the students and work towards an immediate solution.

The remarks came amid repeated attacks from the BJP, which had questioned Gandhi's silence over the agitation in Jharkhand. The state is governed by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), a Congress ally in the INDIA bloc.

POLICE ACTION AS STUDENTS MARCH TOWARDS ASSEMBLY

The statement followed a tense day in Ranchi, where protesting job aspirants attempted to move towards the Jharkhand Assembly.

Police deployed water cannons and tear gas after protesters crossed barricades. Security personnel also resorted to lathicharge as the demonstrators advanced towards the Assembly premises. Some protesters were reportedly injured during the confrontation.

The agitation has been continuing for 17 days, with students demanding changes in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The march began near the old Assembly building at around 10.30 am and coincided with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's 51st birthday.

FASTING LEADER JOINS MARCH

JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a nine-day hunger strike over the recruitment controversy, joined the protesters in an ambulance.

Mahto objected to the heavy security arrangements and barbed-wire barricades placed along the route. He accused the government of attempting to silence the students and said protesters were no longer willing to hold talks.

Several rounds of discussions between the government and protesters have taken place, but no agreement has been reached. The students have demanded the cancellation of 13 examinations, while the government has reportedly agreed to scrap only three.

One injured protester, Sanjay Mahto, told PTI that he suffered injuries during the police action.

RECRUITMENT EXAM ROW

The students are seeking comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC examination systems, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process.

The confrontation in Jharkhand has also drawn comparisons with recent student protests in Delhi, where police action during a march towards Parliament became a major political issue.

Gandhi has been demanding accountability over the Delhi crackdown and has criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah for not ordering an inquiry or making a statement on the matter.

In a column published in The Hindu, Gandhi alleged that protesters in Delhi were subjected to tear gas, baton attacks and pellet firing during the July 20 demonstration.

His intervention in the Jharkhand controversy comes as the Opposition continues to demand greater accountability over police action against students protesting examination-related issues across the country.