Rahul Gandhi Criticises Force on Jharkhand Students
Rahul Gandhi has criticised the use of police force against protesting students in Jharkhand, saying peaceful demonstration is a democratic right and that the state government should address their concerns through dialogue. His remarks came after police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge as job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly.
Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action
Rahul Gandhi said the use of force against protesting students was wrong and urged the Jharkhand government to continue hearing their grievances.
His intervention comes amid political criticism over the handling of demonstrations in the Congress-allied JMM government in Jharkhand. Gandhi stressed that dialogue, rather than force, should be used to resolve the dispute.
Jharkhand Students Protest Recruitment Exams
The protests are centred on alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
Demonstrators have demanded extensive reforms in both recruitment bodies and cancellation of several examinations they claim were affected by irregularities.
The agitation entered its 17th day as protesters marched from near the old Assembly building towards the current Jharkhand Assembly complex.
Police Use Tear Gas and Water Cannons
Police deployed water cannons, tear gas shells and carried out a lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades and moved towards the Assembly premises.
Several protesters were injured during the confrontation. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been fasting over the issue, also participated in the march.
Talks between the government and protesters have so far failed to resolve the dispute, with disagreements continuing over how many recruitment examinations should be cancelled.
