New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) NDA leaders on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government over the ongoing student protests in the state, alleging that authorities used indiscriminate force against demonstrators demanding action on issues concerning recruitment and their future. BJP national spokesperson C.R. Kesavan compared the Jharkhand government to the Emergency-era Congress government and accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of failing to hold his alliance partner accountable.“The ruthless Congress-JMM regime in Jharkhand is a carbon copy of Indira Gandhi’s brutal Emergency, and Rahul Gandhi is a spineless opportunist who doesn’t have the courage to hold accountable his own government in Jharkhand,” Kesavan said.

He alleged that students were being “oppressed and suppressed” for raising their concerns and condemned the reported use of lathis and tear gas during the protests.Kesavan also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the use of force against protesters, asking why, despite his remarks, the Jharkhand government allegedly resorted to a lathi-charge against students later that night.“It’s very clear that nobody, even his allies, takes Rahul Gandhi seriously, and they are not bothered about what he says,” he said.JD(U) national spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan also targeted the Hemant Soren government, alleging that the protests reflected growing insecurity among students over employment opportunities and recruitment processes.

“Now you can see that the Hemant Soren government has been completely exposed,” Ranjan said, alleging that students had repeatedly raised accusations that government jobs could be secured through money or political influence.He said ordinary students, worried about their future, were therefore protesting on the streets of Ranchi, leading to what he described as an intense confrontation.In West Bengal, BJP leader and Minister Dilip Ghosh said the student agitation in Jharkhand had continued, with students taking to the streets to raise issues concerning their future.“Students have the right to fight for their future, and the government that is unable to protect their rights and interests will have to answer,” Ghosh said.

Meanwhile, BJP chief spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo alleged irregularities in competitive examinations in Ranchi and claimed that around two lakh students had gathered on the streets.Referring to Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s birthday, Shahdeo said students had sarcastically wished him and alleged that the government responded with water cannons, tear gas and lathi-charge.“Happy birthday, CM sahib, may you live for thousands of years, and what did the Chief Minister give them in return?” Shahdeo said, alleging that protesters were hit with water cannons, tear gas and batons.

/IANS