Congress claims BJP sending workers to bolster Jharkhand student stir
The Congress party on Tuesday alleged that members of the BJP Yuva Morcha were being transported from West Bengal to Jharkhand in trucks to join the ongoing student protests against recruitment exam irregularities. The party shared a video clip purportedly showing young men being ferried across the border, and accused the BJP of trying to give a “different colour” to the movement.
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal, in a post in Hindi on X, said, “Behold another example of the petty politics of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Some boys from the BJP Yuva Morcha are being transported from West Bengal in trucks to Jharkhand, and an attempt is being made there to give a different colour to the ongoing non-violent student movement.” He added that the BJP believed a “fake crowd” would make the protests appear larger and diminish public outrage against the government.
The allegations come amid escalating tensions in Jharkhand, where job aspirants have been protesting for weeks against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations. On Monday, police in Ranchi used water cannons, lobbed tear gas shells, and lathi-charged protesters as they breached barricades near the Jagannathpur Temple, close to the state assembly. Several protesters claimed they were injured in the action, which occurred while the assembly was in session.
The Congress, which is part of the Hemant Soren-led government in Jharkhand, has sought to distance itself from the police action. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, condemned the use of force, saying, “My message to protesting students in Jharkhand is clear. We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students. It does not matter where it is happening. We condemn it, we are against it, we do not recommend it, and we do not support it.”
In a separate post on X, Mr. Gandhi said, “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.” The state government has yet to respond to the Congress leader’s remarks, but the BJP has demanded that the Congress withdraw its support to the Soren government, alleging that it is failing to handle the situation.
Congress leaders, including Mr. Venugopal, have defended the party’s position, arguing that the BJP is trying to deflect attention from its own failures. “What happened last month was just the trailer — youth and students know full well that it is Modi and the failed policies of his government that have destroyed their future,” Mr. Venugopal said. He urged the BJP to stop trying to manipulate the protests for political gain, stating, “There is no place left in this country for your such conspiracies.”
The controversy highlights the delicate political balance in Jharkhand, where the Congress and the BJP are locked in a war of words over the handling of the protest movement. While the Congress alleges that the BJP is attempting to inflate the protests for electoral advantage, the BJP accuses the ruling coalition of using excessive force and failing to address the legitimate concerns of students. The situation remains fluid, with no immediate resolution in sight.
