Babulal Marandi questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence on student attacks, demands arrest of culprits
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Ranchi, August 22: Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has strongly condemned the alleged attacks by JMM workers on…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, August 22: Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has strongly condemned the alleged attacks by JMM workers on students in several districts of Jharkhand, describing the use of lathis and sticks to silence protesting students as an “attack on democracy”.
Marandi said the BJP would oppose any attempt to suppress the constitutional right to protest and demanded that the government and administration identify, prosecute and immediately arrest all those responsible for the alleged violence.
Addressing a press conference in Giridih, Marandi said the BJP would give a “befitting reply” to what he described as hooliganism by ruling party workers.
‘Suppressing Students with Lathis Is an Attack on Democracy’
Marandi alleged that JMM workers chased and assaulted students at Jhanda Maidan in Giridih and that similar incidents were reported from Hazaribagh, Ranchi and other places.
“Blinded by the arrogance of power, Hemant Soren has crossed all limits. Attempting to silence students’ voices with lathis and sticks is an attack on democracy. This hooliganism will be met with a befitting reply,” he said.
He alleged that JMM workers armed with lathis and flagpoles created an atmosphere of fear and claimed that even a young woman was assaulted in Ranchi.
Marandi also referred to an alleged statement by JMM leaders in Ramgarh that anyone burning the Chief Minister’s effigy would be “thrashed to death”.
“JMM leaders are talking about thrashing people to death. What kind of democracy is this? JMM has completely resorted to hooliganism,” he said.
‘Everyone Has the Right to Protest’
Marandi said that in a democracy, people have the right to protest peacefully, raise slogans, burn effigies and express support or opposition to the government.
“The BJP will not tolerate any attempt to crush this constitutional right through thuggery. If the need arises, our party will take to the streets and carry this movement forward in a democratic manner,” he said.
He alleged that video footage from several locations clearly showed individuals beating students with lathis and flagpoles and demanded action against those involved.
‘August 21 Violence Was Not a Sudden Development’
Marandi claimed that the violence against students on August 21 was not spontaneous and alleged that the state government had been planning to suppress the agitation for several days.
He said the students had been protesting for 25 days and had marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 despite obstacles allegedly created by the government.
“On August 10, the students overcame all the challenges posed by the government and reached the Assembly gates. They could have entered the premises had they wished, but the local students are disciplined. That day, they were beaten even under the cover of darkness. Subsequently, they returned to the protest site,” he alleged.
According to Marandi, whenever the students announced plans to intensify their agitation, the government responded by holding what he described as a “charade” of talks.
He said that after the students set an August 20 deadline and announced plans to lay siege to the Chief Minister’s residence if their demands were not addressed, the government allegedly focused on removing them from the protest site.
‘Students Fell for Government’s Ruse’
Marandi alleged that the government used a cabinet meeting and subsequent decisions as part of a larger strategy to weaken the student movement.
“The students are naive and innocent. They failed to grasp the conspiracy orchestrated by the government and Hemant Soren and fell prey to their ruse,” he said.
He alleged that the state government’s intentions towards the student movement had been unclear from the beginning and that it had repeatedly attempted to weaken the agitation.
Marandi said the BJP had expressed apprehensions about the government’s decisions on the day the Cabinet announced the cancellation of the examination and other related measures.
Marandi Questions Rahul Gandhi’s Silence
Taking a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Marandi questioned his silence over the alleged attacks on students in Jharkhand.
“Rahul Gandhi claims to champion peaceful protests. Why, then, has he remained silent on the hooliganism allegedly committed by members of his own party’s government in Jharkhand? Why have the cries of students subjected to such oppression and brutality failed to reach his ears?” he asked.
‘CBI Probe Is the Only Way Forward’
Marandi said the entire responsibility for the situation rested with the state government and the JMM.
He noted that after obtaining a stay order from the High Court, the students had announced plans to burn effigies across all districts through a press conference, describing the programme as entirely democratic.
“A CBI inquiry is the only viable option to resolve this matter. It will ensure that the guilty are apprehended and the innocent are exonerated,” he said.
‘WhatsApp Message Exposes Alleged JMM Mobilisation’
Marandi claimed that the attack on students was premeditated and cited a WhatsApp message allegedly sent by a youth named Imran from Maheshmunda in Giridih.
According to Marandi, the message stated: “Reach the Giridih party office at 4 o’clock. It is an emergency call from the organisation.”
He said a video featuring individuals allegedly associated with the JMM subsequently surfaced.
Marandi demanded the immediate arrest and questioning of the person who allegedly sent the message.
“Who was summoned? At whose behest was the mob assembled? Was this very mob deployed against the students’ peaceful protest? If there was no plan to attack the students, why was such an emergency message issued from the party office?” he asked.
He also demanded strict action against those accused of violence at different locations, including registration of a case against the JMM leader from Ramgarh.
Marandi called upon the government and administration to identify all those allegedly involved in the attacks, register cases against them and ensure their immediate arrest.
District President Ranjit Rai, State Secretary Dilip Verma and Working Committee member Chunnukant, along with several other BJP leaders and party workers, were present at the press conference.
