The student protests in Jharkhand have now drawn support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder, Abhijeet Dipke, who has accused Ranchi police of repeating the kind of police action witnessed during the group’s agitation in Delhi last month.
Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday, Dipke said the protesters in Ranchi were raising concerns about their careers and alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, and questioned why police action is often seen against student protesters.
The 30-year-old activist strongly criticised the use of batons, water cannons and tear gas during Monday’s clashes between job aspirants and police near the Jharkhand Assembly.
“What happened in Jharkhand yesterday was too bad. We saw the same thing happening earlier in Jantar Mantar (Delhi on July 20). Lathis and tear gas were used against agitating students during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ march. I don’t understand why lathis and tear gas are not used when political parties protest. Why are they used only against students?” Dipke said.
The CJP had earlier led protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET examination paper leak. Dipke said the developments in Ranchi reminded him of the police action during those demonstrations.
He also said he had spoken to Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been leading the agitation in Ranchi and was reportedly on a hunger strike.
“I had a word with Devendra Mahto, who is leading this agitation in Ranchi. He has been fasting for nine days and still police used lathis on him,” Dipke said.
He questioned the government’s approach towards students protesting over recruitment examinations and argued that their demands were related to their future rather than political interests.
“Governments in this country, whether in Jharkhand or anywhere else, should think what they are getting by doing such injustice to students who are fighting for their future and not any vote bank,” he added.
Dipke further condemned the alleged use of force against students, saying, “Brutality on students should not take place anywhere.”
The comments came a day after thousands of job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi, demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The protesters breached multiple barricades as they attempted to move towards the Assembly, following which police used water cannons near Jagannathpur Temple and fired tear gas shells.
Several protesters claimed to have sustained injuries during the clashes. Ranchi Police, meanwhile, said that 14 police personnel were injured.
The protesters have been demonstrating since July 25, seeking greater transparency in recruitment examinations. Their demands include cancellation of several exams and an independent probe either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a committee comprising retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
Dipke said the CJP would continue supporting the agitation and that members of his organisation were already present in Jharkhand.
“Our team is there in Jharkhand and was also with agitators in the hospital. We expect the agitation in Jharkhand to continue under the leadership of Mahto,” he said.
He also maintained that the CJP’s support would not depend on which political party was in power.
“We don’t want the focus of this agitation to go away from Mahto. No matter whoever is in government, we will support students wherever they are agitating,” Dipke said.