NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday condemned the alleged use of force by the police against the protesting students in Jharkhand, saying that violence against a peaceful protest is wrong.During a press conference, Rahul said, “We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students. It does not matter where it is happening. We condemn it, we are against it, we do not recommend it, and we do not support it.”“As long as the protest remains peaceful, attacking that protest with violence is wrong,” he added.Earlier, in a social media post on X, the Congress leader said that students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions.“Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions. The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately,” the leader of opposition (Lok Sabha) posted on X.This came as the BJP has repeatedly criticised Rahul over his “silence” on the students’ protest in Jharkhand, which is ruled by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), an ally of Congress in the INDIA bloc.The protest has been led by aspirants seeking greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the recruitment process.The students marched towards the assembly premises despite heightened security arrangements in the area as their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations continued. Police carried out a lathi charge, fired tear gas and deployed water cannons after the protesters moved closer to the Assembly.
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The march escalated after protesters managed to break through several barricades put up by security personnel and continued towards the Vidhan Sabha. Water cannons were used after the protesting students breached multiple barricades.The students have maintained that their agitation will continue until their demands regarding the recruitment examinations are addressed and concrete action is taken against those responsible for irregularities.Meanwhile, in a major development in the investigation, the state police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Monday arrested Jharkhand Public Service Commission’s (JPSC) former Chairman L Khiangte.
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