New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the use of force against students protesting over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations in Jharkhand, asserting that students have the right to protest peacefully and that their grievances must be addressed through dialogue.

The remarks came as aspirants continued their agitation in Ranchi and attempted to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. Police used lathi-charge, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters during the ‘Siege of the Assembly’ march.

“Use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong,” Gandhi said in a post, stressing that peaceful protest is a democratic right and that a solution to the students’ concerns can only be found through dialogue.

He urged the Jharkhand government to listen to the protesters and resolve their grievances immediately.

The issue assumes political significance as Jharkhand is governed by an alliance comprising the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress, Left parties and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Gandhi Questions Action Against Delhi Protesters

Gandhi also questioned the use of force against young protesters in Delhi and sought clarification from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Addressing a press conference on Monday evening, he asked whether Shah had ordered the action against the protesters. Gandhi said the Home Minister should first clarify whether he had directed the lathi-charge, following which the matter could be discussed further.

He also questioned the absence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah from Parliament for the past 15 days, alleging that neither had the courage to face the House.

Student Leader Warns Government of Intensified Agitation

Meanwhile, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto declared that the agitation would continue until the protesters’ demands were addressed.

Speaking during the march towards the Assembly, Mahto accused the Hemant Soren government of attempting to suppress the students’ movement through water cannons and tear gas.

Mahto said student representatives had already held three rounds of talks with the government but had failed to receive a satisfactory resolution.

He announced that the protesters would now seek direct talks with Chief Minister Hemant Soren instead of holding further discussions through government delegations.

Mahto warned that continued inaction could further intensify the agitation and create political difficulties for the state government.

The students are demanding action over alleged irregularities, paper leaks and procedural discrepancies in the JPSC-JSSC recruitment examinations, making the issue an increasingly contentious political flashpoint in Jharkhand.