New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday reacted to criticism for not demanding any action against the Congress-backed JMM government in Jharkhand over the alleged
police crackdown on protesting job aspirants. Reiterating his stance over the issues, Gandhi said he is not "silent" on Jharkhand." The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha further added that he had made it clear in his press conference that he never supported any use of violence against students. "I am not silent on the Jharkhand issue and have made it clear in the press conference that we do not condone any violence that has been perpetrated against students. I am not silent; I am speaking openly," the Congress MP told the media.
#WATCH दिल्ली: लोकसभा में विपक्ष के नेता राहुल गांधी ने झारखंड के मुद्दे पर कहा,"मैं झारखंड के मुद्दे पर चुप नहीं हूं और प्रेस कॉन्फ्रेंस में स्पष्ट कर दिया है कि हम छात्रों के खिलाफ कोई भी हुए हिंसा की सराहना नहीं करते हैं। मैं चुप नहीं हूं खुलकर बोल रहा हूं" pic.twitter.com/tbafiwCpFE
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies have been targeting Gandhi and the Congress party over the police action against students protesting. On Tuesday, NDA MPs also staged protests raising slogans against the Lok Sabha LoP.
For the unversed, the agitation in Jharkhand has been going on since July 25 over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, particularly the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. On Monday, protesting job aspirants and students were lathicharged by police when they were arching towards the state assembly in Ranchi.
Rahul Gandhi on Jharkhand Police Action:
On Monday, Gandhi criticised the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand, calling for dialogue between the government and the agitating aspirants.
"The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. 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," Gandhi posted on X.
Notably, the Ranchi Police reportedly used water cannons, tear gas, and lathi-charge after protesters breached barricades during the march. Several protesters claimed they were injured in the police action.
