New Delhi, Aug 17: Amid the ongoing students protest in Jharkhand, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha wrote to Chief Minister Hemant Soren saying that the protest has been peaceful, and their demands are legitimate and urged him to “personally meet” with representatives of the protesting students as this will help reinforce the government’s commitment to resolve their remaining concerns
In his letter to Soren dated August 14, Rahul Gandhi said, “The Congress party believes that the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution of India is one of the central pillars of our democracy.”
He said that “we have, therefore, offered our full support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the last few months”.
“It is also our belief that the Indian education system has been captured by the RSS and BJP and transformed into a tool for the exploitation and oppression of students. It is no longer the robust knowledge system that it used to be a decade ago,” he pointed out.
Speaking about the students protest in Jharkhand, the former Congress president said, “As you are aware, students in Jharkhand have also been protesting irregularities in the State recruitment examinations. Their protest has been peaceful, and their demands are legitimate.”
He hailed the JMM-Congress alliance government in the state, he said that he appreciates that the Jharkhand government has begun a dialogue with them through a committee instituted by Soren.
“I believe that there is also agreement on several demands raised by the students. However, the protests continue, and some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike,” he said.
“I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students. This will help reinforce the government’s commitment to resolve their remaining concerns,” he said requesting Soren to personally meet with the students.
He asserted that the youth of India is its future. “We owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis. Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue,” he added.
Rahul Gandhi’s intervention comes amid continuing protests by students over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations, with the State government seeking to address their grievances through a committee and dialogue.
