Babulal Marandi Accuses Jharkhand Administration of Undermining Student Protest

Ranchi, August 12: Babulal Marandi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, has accused the district administration of employing unethical tactics to disperse students protesting at the Jaypal Singh Munda Stadium. He stated that officials arrived late Tuesday night, attempting to cut off electricity to force the demonstrators to leave.

Marandi reported that the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi and the City SP pressured the students, claiming that the government had decided to cancel the JPSC examination, thus urging them to end their protest. Following reports of undue pressure from police and administrative officials, BJP leaders arrived at the protest site. Marandi claimed that the officials left after the BJP leaders intervened.

He condemned the government’s actions as undemocratic and disgraceful. Marandi emphasized that attempts to suppress the peaceful movement of students fighting for their rights and future should not occur. He noted that the students’ demands extend beyond just the cancellation of the JPSC examination. Their primary request is for a fair CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC exams, as well as claims of corruption in job placements.

Marandi pointed out that students had previously trusted the government’s assurances regarding a CID investigation, but they no longer have faith in that process. He urged the government to immediately order a CBI inquiry and take concrete action on all student demands. Instead of silencing the students through police and administrative force, he insisted that the government should seek a resolution through dialogue.

He warned the government against challenging student power, stating that any attempt to suppress the voices rising from Jaypal Singh Munda Stadium could resonate throughout the villages of the state. Marandi also called on the Ranchi district administration to ensure basic amenities such as electricity, water, and sanitation at the protest site. He stressed that the administration should facilitate the necessary resources for the demonstrators rather than disrupt their peaceful movement.