Amid Jharkhand students' protest, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet the students protesting alleged irregularities in the state's recruitment examinations.
The letter expressed solidarity with the protesters, with Rahul describing their agitation as peaceful and their demand as legitimate.
"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. We have, therefore, offered our full support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the last few months," he said.
He also added 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.
"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," Rahul said in the letter, dated August 14.
The student delegation met with the Jharkhand government multiple times and had also agreed on several demands raised by them.
"I appreciate that the Jharkhand government has begun a dialogue with them through a committee instituted by you. 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," Gandhi 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," the former Congress chief said.
Gandhi asserted that the youth of India is its future and they must be given all 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," Gandhi said.
The letter also comes amid rising demands from protesters that Congress withdraw its support for the JMM.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader, Ravindra Paswan, said that both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. "If the CM is not listening to Gandhi, then he should withdraw the coalition support," he said.
