3 weeks ago
NDA leaders attack Jharkhand government's crackdown on student protests
In a state of India called Jharkhand, many students went out into the streets to protest.
They were worried about finding jobs after their studies and about how government jobs are given out.
Some people said that jobs could be gotten with money or by knowing powerful people, which the students thought was unfair.
The police used strong methods to stop the protests, like water cannons, tear gas, and long sticks called lathis.
Some leaders from a group of political parties called the NDA were very angry about this.
They said the state's leader, Hemant Soren, and his government were being too harsh with the students.
They even compared the government's actions to a very strict time in India's history called the Emergency.
The leaders also blamed a national politician named Rahul Gandhi for not telling his partner government to act more kindly.
The NDA leaders said that students have the right to fight for their future, and that the government must answer for what it did.
NDA leaders launched a sharp attack on the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government over ongoing student protests in the state.
BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan likened the 'Congress-JMM regime' to Indira Gandhi's Emergency and accused Rahul Gandhi of not holding his ally accountable.
Students in Ranchi protested over recruitment processes and employment concerns, with allegations that government jobs could be secured through money or political influence.
Authorities allegedly used water cannons, tear gas and a lathi-charge against protesters, including on Chief Minister Soren's birthday.
JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan said the government stood 'completely exposed,' while BJP leaders said students have the right to fight for their future.
- Who
- NDA leaders — including BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan, JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan, BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo and West Bengal BJP minister Dilip Ghosh — who criticised the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government; and students protesting in Ranchi.
- What
- A political row over the Jharkhand government's crackdown on student protests about recruitment and future employment, with NDA leaders alleging indiscriminate use of force including lathi-charge, tear gas and water cannons.
- Where
- New Delhi, where the leaders spoke, and Ranchi in Jharkhand, where the protests took place.
- When
- The NDA leaders made their remarks on Tuesday, while the student protests were ongoing at that time.
- Why
- Students protested over recruitment processes, employment insecurity and allegations that government jobs could be obtained through money or political influence; NDA leaders accused the government of oppressing students instead of addressing their concerns.
NDA leaders
Congress-JMM government and allies
Use of force against student protesters
NDA leaders
NDA leaders call the crackdown 'ruthless' and compare the government to Indira Gandhi's 'brutal Emergency,' alleging students were hit with water cannons, tear gas and batons by the Hemant Soren government.
Congress-JMM government and allies
Rahul Gandhi publicly criticised the use of force against protesters, but the article reports the government allegedly carried out a lathi-charge against students that same night despite his remarks.
Rahul Gandhi's accountability for the ally government
NDA leaders
BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan says Rahul Gandhi is a 'spineless opportunist' who lacks the courage to hold accountable his own government in Jharkhand, and that not even his allies take him seriously.
Congress-JMM government and allies
Rahul Gandhi has spoken out against the use of force on protesters, indicating he publicly opposes the crackdown even as the Congress-JMM alliance runs the Jharkhand government.
Key facts
- Parties involved
- NDA (BJP, JD(U)) vs. Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand
- Key figures
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren; Congress leader Rahul Gandhi; BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan
- Protest location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protest issues
- Recruitment processes, employment opportunities, alleged money or political influence in government jobs
- Alleged police action
- Water cannons, tear gas, lathi-charge
- Claimed protester numbers
- Around two lakh students gathered, per BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo
- Other allegations
- Irregularities in competitive examinations in Ranchi
- Timing of NDA remarks
- Tuesday
Quotes
C.R. Kesavan
BJP national spokesperson
“"The ruthless Congress-JMM regime in Jharkhand is a carbon copy of Indira Gandhi’s brutal Emergency, and Rahul Gandhi is a spineless opportunist who doesn’t have the courage to hold accountable his own government in Jharkhand,"”
thehansindia.com
“"Students have the right to fight for their future, and the government that is unable to protect their rights and interests will have to answer,"”
thehansindia.com










