RANCHI: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) staged a protest in Ranchi on Sunday against alleged police action and FIRs registered against students during recent protests over recruitment examinations in the state.SFI national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh said the protests had helped ensure that those in power were held accountable for their actions.Speaking to the media, SFI national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh said, “The most important outcome of all these protests is accountability. The fact that the accountability of the government and the administration has returned is a very crucial aspect, and we believe this is a victory for the movement. People sitting in power and authority have been made responsible and accountable, realising they cannot simply get away with such actions. Students will be here to question them if anything wrong happens.”Aishe Ghosh also criticised the BJP, accusing the party of taking a selective approach to issues concerning students and examination irregularities.“If the BJP is putting up this facade in Jharkhand claiming to work for students, it is a false facade because irregularities happened in the NEET exam, and three NTA NET exam papers were recently cancelled. Why isn’t the BJP scrapping an institution like the NTA? It cannot be that the BJP remains silent nationally while suddenly caring about students in Jharkhand. This political manoeuvring should not take place. Students have their own understanding. We believe the students of Jharkhand are fighting their own battle, and we stand with them,” SFI national joint secretary Aishe Ghosh said.Meanwhile, Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi demanded the immediate withdrawal of FIRs registered against students following recent protests.Speaking to media in Hazaribagh, LoP Babulal Marandi said his party stood firmly with the protesting students and urged the state government to withdraw the cases.“There is no need to be afraid; our party stands firmly with the students. I appeal to the government to withdraw the FIRs that have been lodged. If the government does not withdraw the FIRs, I urge the youth not to fear jail,” LoP Babulal Marandi said.On Saturday, protesters held a peaceful silent march from Hazaribagh to the district headquarters, seeking to clear their names and reaffirm their commitment to non-violence. They handed flower garlands and pens to officials during the march.The demonstration followed mild police action after protesters allegedly violated the route designated by the administration during an earlier protest.
