Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary Vinod Pandey on Sunday accused BJP leaders of using student issues for political gains and urged them to stop “using students as a shield” in their political battle.
Reacting to BJP leader Babulal Marandi’s statements, Pandey said students had the democratic right to raise issues related to education, employment and their future, but alleged that the BJP was attempting to politicise their movement.
Pandey claimed that Chief Minister Hemant Soren had accepted the demands raised by the students and that the protesters had returned home. He said the state Cabinet was likely to take further decisions in the interest of students at its August 25 meeting.
The JMM leader questioned why BJP leaders were not engaging directly with students if they were genuinely concerned about their issues. He said describing every administrative action as political repression would not resolve the problems faced by students.
Pandey also said police must act within the law but cautioned against giving individual cases a political colour without complete information.
He alleged that the BJP was trying to regain political relevance in Jharkhand by raising student and youth issues.
“BJP leaders should fight their political battles themselves instead of using students,” Pandey said.
