Prayagraj: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi addresses the gathering during the 'Chhatron Ki Goonj' programme in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday, August 8, 2026. (Photo: IANS/X/@INCIndia)
New Delhi, August 10 (IANS) Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday said that the police action against students protesting in Jharkhand over the examination irregularities is "wrong", adding that the government should work to resolve the issue immediately.
The Lok Sabha LoP's remarks came as the police lobbed tear gas shells at students as they breached barricades and closed in on the Assembly premises as the examination protests intensified in Jharkhand.
Taking to X, Gandhi said: "The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions. The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately."
This came as the BJP has repeatedly criticised Gandhi over his "silence" on the students' protest in Jharkhand, which is ruled by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), an ally of Congress in the INDIA bloc.
The protest has been led by aspirants seeking greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the recruitment process.
The students marched towards the Assembly premises despite heightened security arrangements in the area as their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations continued. Police carried out a lathi charge, fired tear gas and deployed water cannons after the protesters moved closer to the Assembly.
The march escalated after protesters managed to break through several barricades put up by security personnel and continued towards the Vidhan Sabha. Water cannons were used after the protesting students breached multiple barricades.
The students have maintained that their agitation will continue until their demands regarding the recruitment examinations are addressed and concrete action is taken against those responsible for irregularities.
Meanwhile, in a major development in the investigation, the state police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday arrested Jharkhand Public Service Commission's (JPSC) former Chairman L. Khiangte.
