Jharkhand CM assures student protesters of justice, cautions against political 'misguidance'
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday assured students protesting in Ranchi that the State government was fully committed to safeguarding their rights and future. Addressing the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav, Mr. Soren said it was the government's responsibility to ensure justice for the youth protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Hundreds of students have been camping at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for the past 16 days, demanding action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations for government jobs, including the Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services Examination and the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination.
Mr. Soren said the strictest possible action would be taken against those found responsible for the irregularities, adding that the individuals involved had already been identified. “Young students are currently staging protests regarding certain issues. I want to send a clear and open message to all students, a message I always convey — that we operate a vast system, and our intentions regarding the people of this State have always been deeply sensitive,” he said. He was accompanied by his wife and MLA from Gandey, Kalpana Soren.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the government was listening to the grievances of the youth. “Whether they are residents of villages or small towns, farmers, labourers, women, educated youth, or those with little to no formal education, we are concerned about the well-being of everyone,” he said. He added that it was because of government actions that students had gathered the courage to demand their rights and stage a protest.
Mr. Soren cautioned the protesters against being led astray by political parties. “Have faith, we were born of this soil and will be laid to rest in this very soil. No one needs to see this protest from a political lens. But there are certain individuals having vast political ambitions, and this ambition creates a path for political parties to mislead the youth,” he said. “You do not need the patronage of anyone — neither ours nor anyone else's. You are students, you have rights, and it is the government's responsibility to ensure you receive those rights and secure justice — a responsibility that will be fulfilled.”
The Chief Minister also alleged that attempts were being made to intimidate the youth, and that some media reports sought to scare and malign the students. “When that did not work, attempts were made to injure or kill them using batons, bullets, and pellet guns. When even that failed, they were branded as traitors,” he claimed.
Emphasising that dialogue was the way forward, Mr. Soren said, “Forces such as batons and bullets are meant for enemies at the borders, not for one's own countrymen. Resorting to such measures does not solve problems; instead, it only worsens them.” He assured the students: “I am not old either. Your problems are our problems. I assure you completely that justice will be served.”
The protests come amid a broader controversy over recruitment exams in the State. On Saturday, the Jharkhand Governor accepted the resignations of three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, a key demand of the agitating aspirants. The students have announced a march to the Assembly on Monday, further escalating the agitation.
