New Delhi: The Jharkhand BJP has called for a statewide bandh on Tuesday in protest against police action during a student march in Ranchi, with party leaders accusing the Hemant Soren government of using excessive force against protesting job aspirants.
Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu announced the party’s support for the bandh, alleging that hundreds of students were injured during the police response. He accused the state government of failing to address concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and criticised the use of lathis, water cannons and tear gas during the protest.
The confrontation took place on Monday when JPSC and JSSC aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly. The protesters are demanding cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level examination, a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities and broader reforms in the state’s recruitment system.
BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi also criticised the government’s handling of the agitation. He alleged that the students had been protesting through sit ins and hunger strikes for around two weeks and claimed that opposition leaders supporting them were detained during the mobilisation.
The government, however, maintained that students have the right to raise their concerns and that their grievances should be addressed through dialogue. Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the administration respects the protesters’ concerns and expressed appreciation for officials and police personnel involved in managing the situation.
Ranchi officials also issued guidance to schools ahead of the proposed bandh, leaving the decision on closure to individual school managements while urging them to prioritise student safety.
The BJP has said its workers will take to the streets during the bandh, intensifying the political confrontation over the recruitment examination controversy and the treatment of protesting aspirants.
