Opposition party BJP has called a ‘Jharkhand bandh’ against the police lathi-charge on students in Ranchi. Meanwhile, party workers will protest at Ratu Chowk under Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu. They will burn tyres during the demonstration. Furthermore, workers plan to enforce the shutdown around 10:50 am.
BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo strongly criticised police action during the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march. He said, “These people are shameless.” He added that the state government claimed police personnel showed restraint. However, Shah Deo rejected that argument.
He said people had earlier seen only thieves showing their tricks during darkness. However, police lathi-charged innocent students seeking their rights for the fourth time. Shah Deo added that darkness had already fallen during the crackdown. According to him, police then brutally attacked protesting students with lathis. He also alleged that officers tore their clothes during the action.
Protester Girdhari Mahto from Khunti also described his participation in the agitation. He said he garlanded Birsa Munda’s statue in Khunti district on August 9. Afterwards, Mahto began a foot march around noon while observing a hunger strike.
He reached the protest location between 10:30 am and 11 am on August 10. Moreover, Mahto joined the Assembly march while continuing his hunger strike. He described fasting as a citizen’s final method of protest.
Mahto said he also remained on hunger strike during the demonstration. However, the treatment of students made him believe the Jharkhand government had become dictatorial. He accused authorities of ignoring legitimate demands raised by students.
Political Leaders Question Government as Assembly Session Faces Possible Uproar
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal from Dumariyaganj also criticised the lathi-charge against students in Jharkhand. He questioned the use of lathis and water cannons during demonstrations.
Pal asked why some political voices remained silent in Jharkhand while creating an uproar elsewhere. He described that position as a double standard. Furthermore, Pal said the entire country could see Rahul Gandhi practising only politics.
Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session could witness major disruption over several student issues. Opposition members may raise the lathi-charge during the Assembly march. They may also highlight alleged irregularities involving JPSC and JSSC CGL examinations. The House proceedings will begin at 11 am.
West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh also commented on the ongoing student movement in Ranchi. He said protests had continued across Jharkhand. According to Ghosh, students throughout the state had come onto the streets.
He also questioned the absence of people who had earlier created “drama” in Delhi. Ghosh said students have every right to fight for their future. Moreover, he argued that authorities must answer when they cannot protect that future.
Public anger has also grown after the lathi-charge during protests over alleged JPSC and JSSC examination irregularities. Against this backdrop, ABVP will support the student movement through another Assembly march today.
ABVP workers will gather near the old Assembly from 11:30 am. Subsequently, they will march towards the new Assembly building. The organisation announced the programme amid continuing anger over the police action.
Student Protester Warns of Larger Movement After Assembly March Crackdown
Another student protester said people across Jharkhand had seen what happened during the demonstration. According to the student, police brutally attacked Jharkhand’s protesting youth. The protester also stressed that organisers had already scheduled the programme for the previous day.
He rejected any suggestion that protesters suddenly decided to surround the Assembly. Instead, the student said participants followed a previously decided programme. However, they saw police lathi-charging fellow students immediately after reaching the location.
The protester added that police also used water cannons against demonstrators. He said authorities treated participants very badly during the agitation. Consequently, students now plan a much larger movement.
The student declared that protesters would no longer remain silent. He also warned that their next action would become significantly bigger. Finally, the protester said, “We will uproot this government.”
