BJP Nagaland backs Jharkhand students protesting employment issues, condemns alleged police action and questions Rahul Gandhi’s silence
DIMAPUR — The Nagaland unit of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday expressed support to students protesting in Ranchi over employment-related issues, alleged job scams and paper leaks, while accusing the Congress-JMM government in Jharkhand of excessive use of force and questioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s alleged silence on the issue.
At a press briefing in Dimapur, State BJP Vice President Basu Damani, State Secretary Therali Ezung and State Vice President Zaremo Kikon criticised the Jharkhand government and Rahul, with the three leaders also targeting the Congress leader over his recent statements and parliamentary conduct.
Damani alleged that police used lathi, tear gas and water cannons against students participating in the protests, describing the action as an attack on their democratic rights. He also alleged that barbed wire was placed along the protesters’ route and that some female students complained of their clothes being torn.
The BJP leader demanded that the Congress and JMM government address the students’ demands, asserting that the party stood with youth and students in Jharkhand and across the country.
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Ezung, meanwhile, questioned Rahul’s silence over the alleged police action, arguing that the Congress leader had previously spoken out on student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
She accused Rahul of practising what she termed “politics of convenience” and alleged that the Congress selectively raised issues involving police action depending on political circumstances.
Kikon turned his criticism towards Rahul’s recent statements and parliamentary demands, challenging the Congress leader to face a debate in Parliament.
He alleged that Rahul had shifted his demands from seeking the education minister’s resignation to seeking discussions on NEET and subsequently a statement from the Union home minister.
Kikon also disputed Rahul’s reported claim regarding firing at Jantar Mantar and accused him of presenting what he described as a false narrative. He alleged that the government was prepared to respond to the issues raised by the Congress leader in Parliament.
The BJP leader called on Rahul to allow Parliament to function and face the Union government on the issues under discussion. The BJP leaders’ remarks came against the backdrop of student protests in Jharkhand over employment and recruitment-related concerns.