Ranchi, Aug 24: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Monday hit back at the BJP over its criticism of the Hemant Soren government, accusing the opposition party of making politically motivated allegations on issues ranging from democratic rights to the ongoing JPSC controversy.
JMM central general secretary Vinod Kumar Pandey said the BJP should avoid making “irresponsible” statements and instead focus on issues concerning the people.Reacting to remarks by the BJP’s Jharkhand unit, Pandey alleged that the party had no moral authority to question the state’s democratic functioning, claiming that democratic institutions and opposition voices had faced suppression in BJP-ruled states.
He also objected to comparisons between the Jharkhand government and Nazi Germany, saying such references were inappropriate and reflected political frustration.
On protests and administrative action, Pandey said freedom of expression was a constitutional right but maintained that no right could be exercised above the law.”The government has a responsibility to protect democratic rights while maintaining law and order,” he said, arguing that administrative action should not automatically be portrayed as political repression.
JMM’s response on JPSC issue Addressing the BJP’s allegations concerning the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), Pandey said decisions regarding the appointment and appearance of government lawyers in court were matters of legal procedure.
He rejected suggestions that the government’s legal strategy amounted to a political conspiracy and said any concrete allegation concerning the JPSC should be supported by evidence and placed before the appropriate court.”If the BJP has documents, facts or legal objections, they should be presented before the competent judicial forum instead of being raised only through press conferences,” Pandey said.
He accused the BJP of using students’ concerns for political purposes and claimed that the Soren government remained committed to the interests of students, youth and the general public.Pandey also urged political parties to maintain restraint in their language and distinguish between legitimate political criticism and allegations not backed by facts.
Language issue The JMM leader also raised the issue of alleged language-related restrictions in Maharashtra, questioning whether people travelling to another state for employment should face additional requirements based on their knowledge of the local language.
Pandey alleged that language was being turned into a political tool and questioned the implications of imposing language tests on people seeking employment or livelihood opportunities outside their home states.He asked whether similar requirements would be imposed across the country if such a policy were accepted, and accused the BJP of promoting divisive politics.
The BJP’s allegations against the Jharkhand government and Pandey’s counterclaims are part of an ongoing political dispute, with the JPSC recruitment controversy and the government’s handling of protests remaining key issues in the state.
