'Dialogue, not batons': Jharkhand CM warns parties against misleading youth, politicisation

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren cautioned political parties against exploiting the ongoing student protests over recruitment examination irregularities. He emphasized that dialogue and transparency should be the means to address the protesters' concerns, rather than resorting to force. Soren assured the students that his government was committed to ensuring justice through a transparent process.

He also referred to the brutal treatment of protesting youths during the Jantar Mantar agitation, highlighting instances of force, pellet guns, and baton charges. The student agitation had been ongoing for the 16th consecutive day. However, a faction of students accused the government's outreach as "political manoeuvring". Soren vowed to take strict action against anyone found responsible for irregularities in the recruitment process.

He also alleged that political parties and vested interests were attempting to exploit the students' movement for their own gains. Soren urged the protesting youths not to seek political backing for their agitation, emphasizing that their demands could be addressed through the democratic process.