'Personally meet students': Rahul Gandhi writes to Jharkhand CM Soren, urges him to personally meet protesting students

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday wrote to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet representatives of students protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations.

"I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students. This will help reinforce the government's commitment to resolve their remaining concerns," Gandhi wrote.

Also read:Jharkhand student protest enters 23rd day as government calls leaders for talks


In his letter, Gandhi said the Congress party views the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed under the Constitution, as a central pillar of democracy, and said the party had extended its support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the past few months. He also made remarks critical of the current state of the education system under the BJP and RSS, calling it a departure from what it was a decade ago.

On the Jharkhand protests specifically, Gandhi noted that the state government had begun dialogue with students through a committee, and that agreement had reportedly been reached on several of their demands. However, he pointed out that the protests were continuing, with some students on an indefinite hunger strike, and appealed to Soren to take appropriate steps toward resolving the matter.

Jharkhand student protests

The protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi began on July 29 and has now entered its 24th day. It stems from allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), particularly the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and the JSSC CGL exam.

Students' core demands have included cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary exam, a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities, structural reforms at both commissions, greater transparency in the examination and evaluation process, and accountability for officials found responsible. Some protesters have also called for Chief Minister Soren's resignation.

The Jharkhand government has ordered a CID inquiry into the allegations, and the monsoon session of the state assembly, which began on August 6, saw protests both inside and outside the House over the issue. Police detained several protesters during demonstrations earlier in the session.

Also read: Jharkhand student protesters urge Rahul Gandhi to come to protest site, withdraw support from govt

Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahato said on Monday that he held "hope and faith" ahead of a fresh round of talks with the state government, while cautioning that "the struggle will continue" if the government fails to meet the students' expectations. He noted that the government has agreed to allow students to bring legal experts to the discussions, and said he hoped for an outcome that would ensure a fair examination system for future generations of students.

Mahato added that planned protests on August 20, including a gherao of the Chief Minister's residence and the Vidhan Sabha, would go ahead as scheduled if the talks fail to produce a satisfactory resolution.