Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die on Tuesday, a day ahead of schedule, amid protests by BJP MLAs over the alleged baton charge on students demonstrating against irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state. Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato adjourned the House twice during the day – the first till noon and the other till 2 pm.
As the proceedings resumed after 2 pm, the legislators from the ruling and the opposition trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans against each other.
As soon as the session commenced at noon, Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi stood up to address the demands of students regarding the JPSC and JSSC examinations. However, as he began speaking, ruling party MLAs entered the Well of the House and started protesting. Midst the commotion, the Finance Minister laid three CAG reports on the table of the House. Citing total disorder in the Assembly following the presentation of the reports, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings until 2:00 PM.
Earlier, as proceedings began on the fourth day of the monsoon session, the House was adjourned until 12:00 PM. Immediately upon the start of the session, Congress Legislature Party Leader Pradeep Yadav accused the BJP of instigating the students. In response, BJP MLAs staged a protest and entered the Well, demanding a CBI inquiry into the JPSC and JSSC competitive examinations. Despite repeated requests from the Speaker to allow the House to function, the BJP MLAs refused to relent, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings until 12:00 PM.
Meanwhile, AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto attacked the government over the law enforcement action taken against protesting JPSC candidates and students during the Assembly siege. He stated that this action exposes the government’s dual character. Mahto questioned how a government could be called sensitive when it conducts action against students shortly after appointing three ministers to engage in dialogue with them—especially after the Chief Minister had assured young people of his support and promised to resolve their grievances.
On the other hand, Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey described the state-wide ‘Jharkhand Bandh’ called by the BJP on Tuesday as a complete failure. She asserted that the people of Jharkhand have seen through the BJP’s true character and tactics. The Minister accused the BJP of conspiring to divert the peaceful student movement toward violence and anarchy. Tirkey emphasized that students have a constitutional right to express their views and protest democratically, adding that the government firmly believes in democratic values and dialogue. She stated that administration and police officials were directed to handle the situation with restraint and sensitivity, and that law enforcement exercised minimal force throughout the events.
