Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Rahul Gandhi urges Hemant Soren to meet Jharkhand student protesters
Many students in a place called Jharkhand are upset because they think something went wrong with their exams for government jobs.
They have been protesting for weeks to ask for answers.
The police put up barriers and used strong water sprays to control the crowds.
A man named Devendra Nath Mahato stopped eating food to show how serious the problem is.
After 15 days without food, he became very sick.
A leader named Rahul Gandhi asked the chief minister, Hemant Soren, to talk to the students.
Talking to people who are upset is usually better than using force.
In another city, Delhi, a big leader met a man who was also not eating and asked him to stop.
People are wondering why the same kindness is not being shown to the students in Jharkhand.
Everyone hopes the leaders will listen and find a peaceful answer.
Rahul Gandhi appealed to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to meet students protesting irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Thousands of students marched on the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on 10 August in a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' protest.
Police deployed heavy forces, barricades, water cannons and lathi-charge, and said pellet guns were kept ready for emergencies.
Hunger striker Devendra Nath Mahato was in critical condition on the 15th day of his fast after police stopped his Tiranga Yatra.
Hundreds of FIRs were filed against Ranchi protesters, and journalists covering the agitation faced restrictions.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, student protesters, and hunger striker Devendra Nath Mahato
- What
- Students protesting irregularities in recruitment examinations face heavy police action, and Rahul Gandhi urged the Chief Minister to meet them
- When
- Protests have continued for weeks; the Vidhan Sabha Gherao march took place on 10 August, and Mahato's fast reached Day 15
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
- Why
- Students demand action on irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations and reforms to the recruitment process
Critics of the government
Jharkhand government and police
Handling of student protests
Critics of the government
The government has failed to open dialogue and instead used heavy police deployment, barricades, water cannons and lathi-charge against students.
Jharkhand government and police
Police prepared for a large gathering, said peaceful protesters would face no inconvenience, and warned that anyone resorting to violence would face legal action.
Use of pellet guns
Critics of the government
Keeping pellet guns ready during a student protest raises serious questions about the government's approach; CJP claimed Delhi Police used pellet guns on peaceful protesters.
Jharkhand government and police
Pellet guns are standard less-lethal crowd-control equipment kept for emergencies; Delhi Police denied possessing or using pellet guns and called the claims false and misleading.
Political standards across states
Critics of the government
BJP president JP Nadda personally met hunger-striking activist Sonam Wangchuk in Delhi, while Hemant Soren has not met Mahato or the students, showing different standards.
Jharkhand government and police
The Delhi Police said the CJP protest turned violent during the 'Chalo Sansad' march on July 20, which is why crowd-control measures were used there.
- Protest
- Vidhan Sabha Gherao march by thousands of students on 10 August
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Demands
- Action on irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations
- Hunger striker
- Devendra Nath Mahato, critical on Day 15 of his fast
- Police measures
- Barricades, water cannons, lathi-charge; pellet guns kept ready for emergencies
- FIRs
- Hundreds filed against Ranchi protesters
- Journalists affected
- OpIndia reporter removed; journalist Aman Chopra booked
- Political appeal
- Rahul Gandhi asked CM Hemant Soren to meet the students