Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader, criticized the use of force against students in Jharkhand who were protesting alleged irregularities in a recruitment exam. The protests, which took place in Ranchi, involved thousands of students and unemployed youth demanding transparency and accountability. Police used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to disperse the demonstrators, leading to tensions between law enforcement and protesters.

The protests, which began late last month, were sparked by claims that exam papers for the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) were leaked. Students and activists argue that these irregularities could unfairly disadvantage candidates from marginalized communities. They are calling for the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a complete overhaul of the state’s competitive examination system.

The BJP has condemned the police action, with some members of the party calling for a statewide bandh (strike) on August 11 in solidarity with the protesters. Meanwhile, the state government has urged dialogue with the students, though no resolution has been reached yet. The situation highlights growing concerns over transparency in public service recruitment in Jharkhand.