Jharkhand Student Protest: Rahul Gandhi Opposes Police Force, Urges Govt to Hold Immediate Talks With Aspirants

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has spoken out against the reported use of police force on students protesting in Jharkhand over recruitment exam irregularities, asserting that peaceful demonstration is a basic right and calling for immediate government dialogue.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi stated that applying force against protesting students is wrong and emphasized that meaningful solutions can only be achieved through constructive talks. He urged the Jharkhand government-a coalition led by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) alongside the Congress-to continuously engage with the students and resolve their concerns without delay. Jharkhand Student Protest: Police Use Tear Gas, Water Cannons, Lathis as JPSC-JSSC Aspirants Breach Barricades (Video).

Protests Escalate Over Exam Irregularities

The Congress leader's intervention comes amidst growing unrest across the state, centered primarily in the capital city of Ranchi. Candidates and student groups, operating under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, have been agitating for over two weeks.

The demonstrators are demanding a comprehensive probe into alleged paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Key demands include the cancellation of contested preliminary examinations, an independent inquiry by the CBI or a judicial panel, and structural transparency in future recruitment drives. Jharkhand Student Protest: Former JPSC Chairperson L Khiangte Arrested by CID Amid CBI Probe Demand.

Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Force Against Jharkhand Students

झारखंड में विरोध-प्रदर्शन कर रहे छात्रों के ख़िलाफ़ बल का इस्तेमाल ग़लत है।

छात्रों को शांतिपूर्ण विरोध का अधिकार है और बातचीत से ही समाधान निकल सकता है।

झारखंड सरकार को इन छात्रों की बात सुननी चाहिए और हर समस्या का तुरंत समाधान करना चाहिए।

The use of force against students…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 10, 2026

Government Response and Broader Context

Tensions flared near the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly during the ongoing session as security personnel deployed barricades and measures to manage crowds marching toward the complex. In response to the growing agitation, Chief Minister Hemant Soren affirmed that his administration treats the students' grievances with "utmost seriousness". The state government established a ministerial panel to conduct multiple rounds of talks with representative student delegations to break the impasse.

Gandhi’s public remarks reinforce his recent focus on youth and educational reforms. Addressing similar student demonstrations in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in recent weeks, the Congress MP maintained that state and central governments alike must listen to job aspirants and overhaul what he termed an increasingly oppressive examination system.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 10, 2026 06:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).