Congress alleges BJP youth being trucked from Bengal to Jharkhand
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal shared a video clip highlighting the issue.
The Congress on Tuesday alleged that members of the BJP Yuva Morcha are being brought from West Bengal to Jharkhand in trucks to participate in the ongoing student agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. The Congress accused the BJP of trying to give the student movement a different colour.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal shared a video clip purportedly showing youths being sent by the BJP to join the student agitation in Jharkhand.
In a post on X in Hindi, Venugopal said,
"See another example of the petty politics of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. Some boys from the BJP Yuva Morcha are being brought from West Bengal in trucks to Jharkhand, and an attempt is being made to give a different colour to the ongoing non-violent student movement there."
The Congress leader said,
"They think that sending a fake crowd to make the Jharkhand movement appear larger will quell the public outrage against them. Modi ji, stop underestimating the people of India and treating them as fools."
Venugopal further alleged that these attempts by the BJP will not distract from the concerns of students and youths. "What happened last month was just a trailer—the youth and students know well that Modi and his government's failed policies have ruined their future." He added, "So stop trying to exploit the youth of Jharkhand for your selfish interests. There is no place left in this country for such conspiracies of yours."
These allegations came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand and appealed to the state government to continue dialogue with the students and resolve their issues.
Rahul Gandhi's remarks came after police action in Ranchi, where water cannons, tear gas shells, and lathi-charge were used on job aspirants trying to reach the State Assembly by breaking barricades. He said during a press conference,
"My message to the students protesting in Jharkhand is clear. We condemn any form of violence against students protesting peacefully."
The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said,
"It doesn't matter where it is happening. We condemn it, we are against it, we do not recommend it, nor do we support it. Our stance is absolutely clear. As long as the protests are peaceful, we oppose any form of violent attack against them."
Earlier, in a post on X, Rahul Gandhi had stated that the use of force against protesting students in Jharkhand was wrong.
He said, "Students have the right to protest peacefully, and solutions can only be found through dialogue. The Jharkhand government should continue to listen to these students and resolve their issues immediately."
It is noteworthy that the Congress is an ally in the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand. Several protesters claimed they were injured during the police action. This action occurred when protesters reached the last barricade near Jagannathpur Temple on the road leading to the Jharkhand Assembly. At that time, the Assembly session was ongoing.
Several independent YouTubers and channel videos clearly show that during the Jharkhand Assembly gherao on Monday, anti-social elements had infiltrated the peaceful student protesters and were preparing to attack with stones. They were conspiring to turn this peaceful movement violent. From the beginning, two stages were set up at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for this movement. On one stage, allegedly BJP members were trying to fan the issue.
It is noteworthy that this movement under the banner of JSSC Reforms Manch began on July 25 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. On Thursday, the first day of the monsoon session, the issue reached the Assembly, where opposition MLAs raised slogans in the Assembly premises. It is noteworthy that the movement has gained momentum over the past 13 days. Six protesters are on a hunger strike. Social activists and volunteers are continuously present at the protest site, bringing food for the protesters throughout the day.
An official of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch had said,
"In response to the government's offer for dialogue, we have formed an 11-member delegation. It includes eight students, two experts, i.e., journalists, and one lawyer." The protesters demand that the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination be cancelled. Additionally, they demand an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment exam, either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a committee of retired High Court judges from outside the state.
It is noteworthy that the protesting students are also demanding extensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The official of the Manch said, "The role of journalists and lawyers will be limited to providing guidance, as we want peaceful dialogue and a resolution to this issue. Hemant Soren had said on Wednesday that the issue of question paper leaks is a national problem. He also offered dialogue to the protesters to end the deadlock."