RANCHI, August 23: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest in Ranchi on Sunday against the alleged police action during recent student demonstrations and the FIRs registered against protesters amid the ongoing recruitment examination row.
SFI National Joint Secretary Aishe Ghosh said the protests had brought greater accountability to the government and administration.“The most important outcome of all these protests is accountability. The fact that the accountability of the government and the administration has returned is a very crucial aspect, and we believe this is a victory for the movement,” Ghosh said.
She alleged that those in positions of power had been made to realise that they could not act without being held accountable, adding that students would continue to question the authorities if anything went wrong.
Ghosh also criticised the BJP, accusing it of selectively raising students’ issues in Jharkhand while remaining silent on examination-related controversies at the national level.
“If the BJP is putting up this facade in Jharkhand claiming to work for students, it is a false facade,” she said, referring to alleged irregularities in the NEET examination and the cancellation of three NTA-NET papers.
Ghosh said students in Jharkhand were fighting their own battle and that the SFI stood in solidarity with them.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Sunday demanded the immediate withdrawal of FIRs registered against student protesters following recent demonstrations.
Speaking to reporters in Hazaribagh, Marandi assured the protesting youth of his party’s support and urged the state government to withdraw the cases.
“There is no need to be afraid; our party stands firmly with the students. I appeal to the government to withdraw the FIRs that have been lodged,” Marandi said.
He also urged students not to fear arrest if the government refused to withdraw the cases.The developments come amid continuing protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations and the subsequent police action against demonstrators.
On Saturday, protesters organised a silent march from Hazaribagh to the district headquarters, seeking to clear their names and demonstrate their commitment to non-violence. The protesters reportedly handed flower garlands and pens to officials following earlier police action over an alleged violation of the route designated by the administration.
The recruitment examination dispute has intensified in recent days, with student organisations and opposition parties demanding transparency, accountability and withdrawal of cases against protesters.
