Archive · 11 Aug 2026
BJP calls statewide Jharkhand bandh over lathi-charge on students
In a state called Jharkhand, some grown-up students were very upset.
They thought there was cheating in the exams that decide who gets government jobs.
So they marched to the state assembly to ask for an investigation.
The police used water cannons, tear gas, and sticks to stop them.
A big political group called the BJP said the police were too rough with the students.
The BJP's leader, Aditya Sahu, said hundreds of students were hurt.
To protest, the BJP asked everyone in Jharkhand to stay home for a day.
That kind of protest day is called a bandh.
It starts at 8 o'clock in the morning and lasts until midnight, but hospitals will still stay open.
The Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, said he wants to talk to the students instead of fighting.
The BJP has called a statewide bandh in Jharkhand on Tuesday from 8 am until midnight to protest alleged police atrocities against students.
Police used batons, tear gas shells and water cannons during a march by JPSC and JSSC aspirants to the legislative assembly in Ranchi.
Students were protesting alleged irregularities and demanded cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into the matter.
BJP state president Aditya Sahu alleged hundreds of students were injured and hospitalised in the lathi-charge.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said student demands would be addressed through dialogue, while Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi criticised the police action and said he was detained.
- Who
- BJP, led by state president Aditya Sahu, together with JPSC and JSSC aspirants protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
- What
- A statewide bandh in Jharkhand protesting alleged police atrocities and the lathi-charge on student demonstrators.
- When
- Tuesday, from 8 am until midnight.
- Where
- Jharkhand, centred on a march to the legislative assembly in Ranchi.
- Why
- To protest police action against students demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into alleged irregularities, and recruitment process reforms.
Protesters, BJP and Opposition
JMM-led State Government
Police handling of the protest
Protesters, BJP and Opposition
Police rained lathis, fired tear gas shells and used water cannons on students, leaving hundreds injured and hospitalised in a barbaric manner.
JMM-led State Government
The government thanked police for handling the situation with restraint, sensitivity and responsibility, while officials said some anti-social elements were resorting to violence.
Response to student demands
Protesters, BJP and Opposition
The government failed to address aspirants' demands and used force instead of engagement; it should simply have ordered a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.
JMM-led State Government
The government respects students' right to express their concerns and assured that their demands would be addressed through dialogue.
- State
- Jharkhand
- Bandh timing
- Tuesday, 8 am to midnight
- Called by
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Announced by
- BJP state president Aditya Sahu
- Reason
- Alleged police atrocities and lathi-charge on student protesters
- Student demands
- Cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam, a CBI probe, and recruitment reforms
- Alleged police actions
- Lathi-charge, tear gas shells, water cannons
- Government response
- CM Hemant Soren promised dialogue and thanked police for restraint
