3 weeks ago
Jharkhand police detain 200 ABVP activists during protest march
A group of older students in Jharkhand, a state in India, were unhappy about the government job exams they had taken.
They believed something was not fair about the exams, so they marched to the Assembly building to protest.
Police stopped them and used sticks, which is called a lathi-charge, and some students got hurt.
The next day, more than 200 members of a student group called ABVP marched to complain about what had happened.
Police stopped their march too and took the marchers away in vehicles.
The marchers were held for a few hours and let go after 9 o'clock at night.
Some people said the police used only a little force, while others said the students were treated badly.
A big political party called the BJP blamed the state's leader, Hemant Soren, and even called him a 'Hitler' on social media.
The party also asked people in Jharkhand to shut down for a day to show they were angry.
Both sides disagree about what happened, and students say they will keep asking for fairness and for those who hurt them to be punished.
More than 200 ABVP activists, including three senior office-bearers, were detained by police in Ranchi on Tuesday during a march against Monday's lathi-charge on students.
Those detained included ABVP national general secretary Dr Virendra Singh Solanki, national secretary Abhay Pratap Singh, and Jharkhand state secretary Prakash Tuti; they were released after 9 pm.
The march protested the August 10 lathi-charge on students demonstrating against alleged irregularities in government job examinations.
ABVP social media coordinator Satyam Mishra said police used only 'some light use of force' and there was no full-fledged lathi-charge.
The BJP called a Jharkhand bandh and used the hashtag #HitlerHemant against Chief Minister Hemant Soren's government, vowing to continue the fight 'from the streets to the Assembly.'
- Who
- More than 200 ABVP activists, including senior office-bearers Dr Virendra Singh Solanki, Abhay Pratap Singh and Prakash Tuti, were detained by police; the BJP and student leader Devendra Nath Mahto were also involved.
- What
- Police detained the activists during a march protesting the lathi-charge on students demonstrating against alleged irregularities in government job examinations; the BJP called a Jharkhand bandh and launched the #HitlerHemant campaign.
- Where
- From Ranchi's Old Assembly area towards the new Assembly building in Jharkhand, India.
- When
- Tuesday, a day after the lathi-charge on Monday, August 10; the activists were detained around 2-2:30 pm and released after 9 pm.
- Why
- In protest against the August 10 lathi-charge on students who were protesting alleged irregularities in government job examinations.
Students, ABVP and BJP
Police and Hemant Soren government
Lathi-charge on protesters
Students, ABVP and BJP
Students, ABVP and the BJP say police carried out a lathi-charge on peaceful protesters, leaving student leader Devendra Nath Mahto injured and prompting demands for action against those responsible.
Police and Hemant Soren government
ABVP social media coordinator Satyam Mishra said there was only 'some light use of force' by police and clarified that there was no full-fledged lathi-charge.
Handling of the students' movement
Students, ABVP and BJP
The BJP alleges the Hemant Soren government is trying to suppress the students' movement through force and vows to continue the fight 'from the streets to the Assembly.'
Police and Hemant Soren government
Police stopped the march and detained the activists near the Old Assembly, releasing them after 9 pm, with the ABVP spokesperson denying a full-fledged lathi-charge.
Key facts
- Detained activists
- More than 200 ABVP activists, including three senior office-bearers
- Detained office-bearers
- Dr Virendra Singh Solanki, Abhay Pratap Singh, Prakash Tuti
- Detention details
- Around 2-2:30 pm near Old Assembly, Ranchi; released after 9 pm
- Lathi-charge date
- Monday, August 10
- Protest cause
- Alleged irregularities in government job examinations
- BJP response
- Jharkhand bandh and #HitlerHemant social media campaign
- ABVP account of force
- 'Some light use of force', no full-fledged lathi-charge (per Satyam Mishra)
- Student leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto wrote open letter from hospital demanding action against those responsible
Quotes
Satyam Mishra
ABVP social media coordinator
“"There was some light use of force," he said”
indianexpress.com








