Rahul Gandhi Backs Jharkhand Student Protest
Rahul Gandhi has said every government must listen to students and work towards reforming India’s education system, marking his first public response to the continuing student protests in Jharkhand. Congress is a partner in the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led State government.
Rahul Gandhi Backs Jharkhand Students
During an online interaction, Gandhi said student protests across India reflected growing anger over the education system. He described the current system as expensive and oppressive and called for meaningful reforms.
The Leader of the Opposition said the responsibility to hear students applied equally to the Union government, the Jharkhand government and Congress-led administrations. His remarks came after criticism over his earlier silence on the Ranchi agitation.
Jharkhand Exam Protest Continues
Students and government job aspirants have been protesting in Ranchi since July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
The agitation centres on alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
Protesters have demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services examination and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand. Several demonstrators have also joined a hunger strike.
Jharkhand Government Opens Talks
The protesting students have formed a delegation to hold discussions with the State government after Chief Minister Hemant Soren offered dialogue.
Soren said the students’ concerns were being taken seriously and promised that their demands and suggestions would be examined. The government has stated that the alleged examination irregularities are being investigated and that steps will be taken towards a solution.
