Pitroda questions police action in Jharkhand, urges dialogue with protesting students

Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Monday backed the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, saying the grievances of young people should be addressed through dialogue and not force. His remarks came as the agitation entered its 18th day, with police in Ranchi using lathis, tear gas and water cannons to disperse a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly.

The protests are against alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities, and reforms in the recruitment process.

In a series of posts on X, Pitroda, who serves as global chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, said the images from Ranchi disturbed him deeply. He stressed that students should not be met with force, describing them as India's future and expressing solidarity with the state's youth.

“These are not unreasonable demands. India owes its youth a system they can trust,” Pitroda wrote. He emphasised that behind every protesting student is a family that has sacrificed, often for years, for education and the hope of a job.

Pitroda called for “reform, accountability and compassion” in addressing the concerns of students. He asserted that democracy requires governments to create space for peaceful dissent, dialogue and resolution. He also urged authorities to hear the protesting youth respectfully and address their concerns over fair examinations, transparent recruitment and employment opportunities.

His remarks followed a similar condemnation of the police action by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who urged the Jharkhand government to engage in dialogue with students. The Congress is a partner in the Hemant Soren-led coalition government in Jharkhand, which is headed by the JMM.

Pitroda criticised the handling of recruitment and examination-related grievances, warning that delays in recruitment and failures in examinations risk eroding young people's trust in the system. Calling India's youth its “greatest assets”, he said the country's demographic dividend could turn into frustration if education does not translate into opportunities and examinations fail to inspire confidence.

“We must redesign education, assessment and employment systems for this generation — not punish them for demanding change,” he said.

On Monday, clashes occurred between police and protesters during the march outside the Jharkhand Assembly. Police resorted to at least three rounds of lathicharge, while tear gas shells and water cannons were also used. Some injured protesters alleged that the lathicharge was initiated without warning.

However, police gave a different account of the events. Ranchi deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said a stone was thrown at a police jawan and claimed that some “anti-social elements” had attempted to provoke police and officials during the protest. Addressing a press conference, he said the police had exercised restraint throughout the demonstration and used “mild force” only after a situation arose in which a jawan's life was allegedly at risk.

The incident highlights the continuing tensions over recruitment processes in the state, with students demanding greater accountability and transparency from the authorities.