Jharkhand: BJP accuses administration of trying to intimidate students to call off exam protests

RANCHI: The BJP on Wednesday alleged that the Ranchi district administration attempted to forcibly remove students from the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where they have been demonstrating against “irregularities” in recruitment examinations in the state.

Senior party leader and Leader of Opposition in the assembly, Babual Marandi, accused the administration of shutting down electricity at the spot and intimidating students to vacate the area.

A few protesters have also alleged that the administration was intimidating them to call off the protest.

However, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri and Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan dismissed the charges, saying they had gone to the spot to enquire about the well-being of the students.

In a social media post, Marandi said: “As soon as I checked my mobile phone this morning, I learnt… that late last night, Ranchi DC and City SP arrived at the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and attempted to forcibly remove the students by shutting down electricity. The officials said that the government had canceled the JPSC exam, so the protest should now end.”

He said that upon receiving information, BJP leaders reached the spot, and seeing them, the administrative officials left the scene.

“I strongly condemn this undemocratic and reprehensible attitude of the Ranchi district administration and the Hemant Soren government. The government is no longer able to tolerate the protests of students, who are peacefully fighting for their rights,” Marandi said.

Instead of suppressing the students' voices, the government should address their demands, he asserted.

Marandi cautioned the Jharkhand government “not to make the mistake of challenging student power. If any attempt is made to suppress the voices at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, its spark will reach every village in Jharkhand.”

He demanded that the administration should ensure proper arrangements of electricity, water, sanitation and other basic facilities at the dharna site, and “not try to influence the peaceful protest at the behest of the government”.

The agitation by job aspirants over the alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 19th day on Wednesday, with protesters vowing to intensify the stir if their demands were not met.