New Delhi, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is facing fresh questions from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over what the ruling party has described as a “double standard” in the Congress’ response to student protests and alleged police action in Jharkhand.
The BJP has contrasted the Congress’ aggressive protests in Parliament over alleged NEET irregularities and police action against protesters with what it calls a more cautious approach towards the Jharkhand government, where the Congress is a coalition partner of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
The issue also surfaced at the Parliament entrance on Tuesday, where protesters questioned Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over Rahul Gandhi’s alleged absence from the Jharkhand agitation. Priyanka responded that Rahul Gandhi had already met students from the state.
She also reiterated the Opposition’s demand for a statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and criticised BJP MPs for protesting at the Parliament entrance, saying she had not previously seen government MPs stage such a demonstration.
Rahul Gandhi, responding to questions on Monday, said the Congress condemned the use of force against peacefully protesting students in Jharkhand. He said students had a right to protest and urged the Hemant Soren government to engage with them and resolve their grievances through dialogue.
The BJP, however, has questioned why the Congress has not directly sought accountability from the Jharkhand government in the same manner as it has targeted the Centre over student-related issues.
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of maintaining “double standards” while disrupting Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
The Jharkhand protests intensified in Ranchi on Monday when police used batons, tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of students marching towards the Assembly. Several protesters, including women, were injured. Police said some personnel were also injured in stone-pelting.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto was reportedly hospitalised after his health deteriorated during a nine-day hunger strike.
The protesters are demanding action over alleged examination paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Their demands include cancellation of examinations, reforms in the recruitment system and investigations into alleged corruption by central agencies.
The BJP has argued that while Rahul Gandhi condemned the use of force, he stopped short of demanding the resignation or direct accountability of the Jharkhand government. The party has alleged that the Congress’ position is influenced by its political partnership with the JMM.
The Congress, meanwhile, has continued to raise student-related issues in Parliament, including alleged NEET irregularities and police action against protesters, contributing to repeated disruptions and adjournments of both Houses during the Monsoon Session.
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