New Delhi, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Congress on Thursday defended the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government over the ongoing student protests against alleged irregulari
ties in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations, saying genuine concerns of aspirants must be addressed through dialogue.
The party’s remarks came as a delegation of protesting students was scheduled to meet representatives of the Jharkhand government amid the 13-day-long agitation in Ranchi.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the party supported the legitimate demands of students while highlighting the difference in the manner in which protests were handled in Jharkhand and elsewhere.
“We support every moral demand of the students. The only difference is that nail-studded batons were not used in Jharkhand, nor were pellet guns used. We support the steps taken by the Jharkhand government so far in this matter. The students’ problems will be resolved through dialogue,” Tiwari told IANS.
The protest, being held at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, has witnessed increasing participation from student groups across the state, with aspirants demanding transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.
Congress MP Pawan Khera said senior party leaders had already reached out to the protesting students.
“Our leaders visited the protest site on Wednesday and are in constant contact with the students. What happened here has not happened anywhere else,” Khera said.
Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat accused the BJP and NDA allies of politicising the issue instead of focusing on the concerns of students. He said Chief Minister Hemant Soren was sensitive towards the matter and that the Congress was supporting efforts to resolve the issue.
Bhagat also claimed that the state government had taken action against irregularities in recruitment examinations. He said the JPSC chairman was removed after discrepancies were found in OMR sheets and 19 people had been arrested.
“The BJP is playing politics on this issue. In 16 years, the BJP conducted only five examinations in the state. Not a single examination was conducted during its last term. Since Hemant Soren’s government came to power in Jharkhand, examinations have been conducted nine times,” he said.
Congress leader Rajesh Thakur also supported the students’ agitation, saying their concerns were justified in view of the alleged irregularities.
Meanwhile, the protest led by JPSC aspirants continued at the Ranchi venue despite heavy overnight rainfall. Students reiterated that they would continue their agitation until their demands were addressed.
Student leader Devendra Mahto also continued his indefinite hunger strike.
The outcome of the government’s meeting with the student delegation is being closely watched as both sides look for a possible resolution to the ongoing dispute.
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