Congress leader Rahul Gandhi welcomed the agreement reached between protesting students in Jharkhand and the state government on Tuesday. He called it the proper method to address the matter. Gandhi noted that Chief Minister Hemant Soren chose dialogue while students showed patience to secure acceptance of their demands.
He stated that the system must change nationwide to support students instead of hindering them. His comments followed the Jharkhand government’s cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all recruitment tests since 2014 conducted by an outsourced agency after protests over alleged irregularities.
In a Hindi post on X, Gandhi said an understanding was reached between Jharkhand students and the government, ending the hunger strike, which he found encouraging. He added that the chief minister and government pursued dialogue to reach a solution, with students exercising restraint to achieve their goals.
Gandhi remarked that this is the right approach when students raise questions. He affirmed support for every student in the country and vowed to transform the system so students receive the full benefit of their efforts and fair competition. Such changes would occur nationwide to create a framework that advances students rather than holding them back.
Gandhi had earlier urged Soren to meet student representatives personally and resolve the issue. He described the protest as peaceful with legitimate demands and noted that India’s youth is its future deserving solidarity. The Congress is part of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand.
After a long cabinet meeting on Monday, the government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exam and all tests by the outsourced agency. An exam reforms committee will recommend improvements to the process. Student leaders ended their hunger strikes after the announcement, and students celebrated the outcome.
