The Nagaland unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the alleged police action against students protesting in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and accused the Congress-Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government of using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
Addressing a press conference, BJP Nagaland State Vice President, Basu Damani said the party was “outraged” by the alleged use of batons, tear gas, water cannons and other measures against students protesting over employment-related issues and alleged job scams and paper leaks.
Damani alleged that the protesters were peaceful and disciplined, but were subjected to what he termed “barbaric” police action. He claimed that barbed wire was placed along the protesters’ route, tear gas shells were fired and students were chased and subjected to lathi-charge and water-cannon action.
He further alleged that some female students had complained of their clothes being torn during the incident, and said the allegations warranted serious condemnation.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party stands like a rock with the youths and students of Jharkhand in particular and the country as a whole,” Damani said, while demanding that the Congress-JMM government immediately address the students’ demands.
BJP State Secretary, Therali Ezung, meanwhile, targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, questioning his alleged silence over the Jharkhand protests.
Ezung alleged that Gandhi had been vocal about student-related protests in Delhi but had failed to respond with similar concern to the situation in Jharkhand.
He accused the Congress leadership of practising “politics of convenience” and alleged that the party adopted different positions depending on whether it was in power or in opposition.
“Why such ruthless suppression of the youth who are raising their voice in a democratic manner, demanding their future and their rights?” Ezung asked, questioning whether political considerations were determining the response to student protests.
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BJP State Vice President, Zaremo Kikon also launched a strong attack on Gandhi over his recent criticism of the Central Government and disruptions in Parliament.
Kikon accused Gandhi of repeatedly changing his demands concerning issues raised in Parliament, including the resignation of the Education Minister, a discussion on NEET and demands for a statement from the Union Home Minister on the Jantar Mantar incident.
He claimed that the Central Government had agreed to discussions and had assured that the Union Home Minister would respond to questions in Parliament, but alleged that the Opposition was preventing the House from functioning.
Referring to Gandhi’s press conference on August 10, Kikon accused him of making a false claim that bullets had been fired at Jantar Mantar.
“The reality is that Rahul Gandhi does not want the Honorable Home Minister to answer in the House,” Kikon alleged, claiming that Gandhi was attempting to avoid a debate in which the government could present all the facts.
Kikon challenged Gandhi to participate in a parliamentary debate and said the BJP would continue to raise questions over the Congress leader’s position on student protests and issues concerning the youth.
“We issue a direct and open challenge to Rahul Gandhi: Rahul Gandhi ji, the Honorable Home Minister is coming to answer every single one of your questions. Do not run away from the battlefield now. Do not fear the debate,” Kikon said, adding the youth of this country have now seen right through this two-faced character of the Congress.
