Congress Remains Silent Amid Protests in Jharkhand
On Monday, the Congress party appeared to be in a quandary regarding the student protests over irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.
While the party has largely refrained from commenting on this movement, it has been vocal in its criticism of the central government concerning the NEET (UG) exam for weeks. Notably, prominent Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have not issued any statements regarding the protests or called for accountability over the alleged discrepancies. This silence has drawn sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP Critiques Congress’s Inaction
The ruling BJP at the center has linked Congress’s silence to its alliance with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). Union Minister Giriraj Singh labeled Congress as an enemy of democracy, accusing it of adopting a selective approach. He questioned why the party has remained silent on paper leak incidents in Jharkhand, Punjab, and Karnataka. Singh remarked to a news agency that while Congress is quiet on these issues, Rahul Gandhi is busy creating a ruckus in Prayagraj. He emphasized that the public is aware of Amit Shah’s role and does not require a certificate from Rahul Gandhi.
Police Response to Student Protests
Gaurav Goswami, the Superintendent of Police (Rural) in Ranchi, reported that a light baton charge was employed when some protesters attempted to breach the final barricade, where Section 163 was already in effect. He noted that the use of force was minimal and that police were in constant dialogue with the students, who have agreed to remain calm for the time being. ADM (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar stated that the situation is currently peaceful, and the students assured authorities that they would conduct their march in a non-violent manner. He added that he had no information regarding any injuries.