BJP, JD(U) call for continued talks with students; Cong says most demands already met by Jharkhand govt

New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) Amid the ongoing student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, leaders from various political parties on Monday expressed their views on the agitation. While BJP and Janata Dal (United) leaders voiced support for the students’ concerns and called for more talks, Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders accused the BJP of attempting to derive political benefit from the situation and stated that 98 per cent of the demands of the students have been accepted by the state government.

Speaking to IANS, JD(U) National Spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan alleged that the Jharkhand government had initially tried to suppress the students’ movement.

“The Jharkhand government wanted to suppress the students, but the students understood its intentions. The government cancelled examinations and accepted the resignations of JPSC members. These actions themselves indicate that irregularities and fraud had taken place in the examinations, which compelled the government to take such major decisions,” he said.

JD(U) National General Secretary Shyam Rajak stressed the importance of dialogue in resolving the issue.

“I had earlier spoken about the need for dialogue, and Chief Minister Hemant Soren also acknowledged this. Discussions were held on various issues, and certain decisions were reached. However, some political leaders are trying to take advantage of the situation and mislead students. I hope students do not get influenced by such attempts,” Rajak said.

Bihar Minister and BJP leader Sanjay Paswan said that while the students’ concerns were legitimate, the matter should be resolved through peaceful discussions.

“We support the students’ protest, but a solution can only be found through dialogue. The government should continue talks with the students. Our respected Prime Minister has always kept the doors open for dialogue and resolution. Every effort should be made to ensure that the movement remains peaceful and does not turn violent. Students are the future of the country, and the nation’s progress depends on them,” Paswan said.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat, however, stated that most of the students’ demands had already been accepted by the Jharkhand government.

“Regarding what happened yesterday, around 98 per cent of the demands have been accepted. The 14th JPSC examination and the Preliminary Test (PT) have been cancelled. I had already said that the Bharatiya Janata Party was looking for an opportunity in this matter,” he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad also commented on the issue, saying that students and youth are among the country’s most valuable assets. He criticised the BJP, alleging that incidents involving students and paper leak controversies across the country reflected poorly on the government’s handling of youth-related concerns.

–IANS

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