Ranchi Breaking: BJP Accuses Hemant Govt of Weakening Student Protest Through Separate Talks

The political battle over the ongoing student agitation in Ranchi has intensified, with the Bharatiya Janata Party accusing the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government of attempting to weaken the movement by holding talks with a second group of protesters. The BJP questioned why the government invited the second faction for discussions after representatives of the main student group had already met government officials and presented their demands. The party alleged that the second group has support from the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM), led by MLA Jairam Mahto, and claimed that engaging with the group could create divisions within the student movement. The main student demands include a CBI and ED investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations, cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination and comprehensive reforms in the recruitment and examination system. However, students from both groups have rejected the suggestion that there is a major difference between them. Protesters at the agitation site said their tents may be separate, but their objectives and core demands remain the same. Both groups have reiterated their demand for a CBI probe and action over alleged examination irregularities. The protest began in Ranchi over allegations of irregularities in competitive examinations and later intensified with hunger strikes. Students have maintained that the movement should remain independent of political parties and have urged political leaders to avoid turning the agitation into a political platform. Devendra Mahto has also rejected allegations of a political understanding between the government and JKLM, pointing to the timeline of the agitation and earlier representations made by students.

Go to Source