Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has requested his ally and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to meet the students protesting alleged irregularities in the state’s recruitment examinations.
In a letter to Soren on August 14, Gandhi said the protests, which entered day 24 on Monday, have been “peaceful” and the students’ demands are “legitimate”.
Earlier reporting noted: Jharkhand protesters, govt to hold 7th round of talks today as hunger strike enters 15th day The Jharkhand government has invited job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations for a fresh rounds of talks on Monday, officials said on Sunday. “The Congress party believes that the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution of India is one of the central pillars of our democracy. “I believe that there is also agreement on several demands raised by the students. However, the protests continue, and some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike.
We have, therefore, offered our full support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the last few months,” he said. Earlier reporting noted: The development comes a day after JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch — which is spearheading the protest — announced they would gherao chief minister Hemant Soren’s residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
Gandhi, the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, “appreciated” that the Jharkhand government has begun a dialogue with the students. I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students,” he said. The senior Congress leader said the move will help “reinforce the government’s commitment to resolve their remaining concerns”. Gandhi said the youth of India is its future and asserted that “we owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis”. The protesting students had on Saturday asked Rahul Gandhi to withdraw support from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led coalition if the “chief minister was not listening to him”. The protesters said they have been forced to adopt the extreme form of agitation after repeated appeals to the government “failed” to produce any concrete action. But, we are firm on two demands – a CBI probe into irregularities in recruitment tests and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL (Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combine Graduate Level) exams,” Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.
Earlier reporting noted: “We will definitely go for the talks as we want to resolve the issue through dialogue.
