Babulal Marandi challenges Rahul Gandhi’s silence on Jharkhand student protests
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 23: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s silence over the…
Babulal Marandi at Kotwali police station on Saturday after police detained student protester Aseema Prasad, who was among those participating in the ongoing agitation over recruitment issues.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 23: Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s silence over the alleged assault on protesting students in the state, asking him to demand strict action against those responsible and withdrawal of cases filed against students during the ongoing agitation.
In a post on social media platform X, Marandi questioned how Rahul Gandhi could distance himself from responsibility while his party shares power with the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand.
Marandi said Gandhi frequently speaks about students’ rights across the country, but should also speak up for students protesting in Jharkhand if his concern goes beyond politics.
‘Why is Rahul Gandhi silent on Jharkhand students?’
Marandi alleged that students taking part in peaceful protests in Jharkhand had been subjected to lathi-charge and that JMM workers and police were involved in alleged assaults during demonstrations.
He questioned why Gandhi had not confronted his alliance partner in Jharkhand and demanded an explanation for the alleged use of force against students.
According to Marandi, students have been protesting on the streets over their future and recruitment-related issues, while the state government has failed to address their concerns.
He also alleged that the government was damaging young people’s trust in the recruitment system.
Demands action against alleged JMM workers
Marandi specifically urged Rahul Gandhi to demand that the Jharkhand government identify and take strict action against those allegedly involved in assaults on students during effigy-burning protests in several districts.
He alleged that some JMM workers used lathis, sticks and hockey sticks against protesters and that female students were also allegedly mistreated.
Marandi said those involved should be identified and prosecuted in accordance with law.
Seeks withdrawal of cases against students
Marandi also alleged that multiple cases were being filed against protesting students to intimidate them, suppress their voices and weaken the ongoing agitation.
He called on Rahul Gandhi to demand that the state government withdraw what he described as “fabricated cases” against students.
He said students exercising their democratic right to protest should not be subjected to legal action merely for raising their concerns.
‘How can sharing power coexist with distancing from responsibility?’
Aiming for Rahul Gandhi’s relationship with the Jharkhand government, Marandi questioned how Gandhi could remain silent when the Congress is part of the ruling alliance.
He asked why Gandhi did not raise his voice for Jharkhand’s students if the state government enjoys his political support.
Marandi referred to incidents in which students marching towards the Assembly were allegedly lathi-charged and claimed that clashes and alleged hooliganism occurred during pre-announced effigy-burning programmes.
He questioned why Gandhi’s concern for students appeared to stop at Jharkhand’s borders.
‘People are watching’
Marandi warned that the public was closely watching the developments surrounding the student agitation.
“If this blood-stained spectacle represents democracy in Gandhi’s view, then he has nothing more to say,” Marandi said, accusing the Congress leader of maintaining a double standard on student issues.
He said the public would ultimately judge whether political leaders’ words matched their actions.
‘Leadership is built on trust’
Marandi said that, given his age and political experience, he wanted to offer Rahul Gandhi what he described as “one final piece of advice”.
He said history recognises a person as a true leader, and the public places its trust in such a leader, only when there is no gap between words and actions.
Otherwise, he said, people lose faith in political leaders and begin to view their claims with scepticism.
Marandi concluded by putting the choice before Gandhi: whether to speak up for protesting students in Jharkhand and demand accountability from the government with which his party shares power.
