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Jharkhand student protests leave Congress in a quandary; BJP targets Rahul Gandhi’s silence

Samira Vishwas | August 10, 2026 8:24 PM CST

Ranchi: Student protests are intensifying in Jharkhand over irregularities in recruitment exams, but the Congress party appears to be confused on the issue. On Monday, the party maintained a near-silence on the protest, while continuing to attack the central government over the NEET paper leak. The BJP has targeted this double standard of the Congress party.

BJP attacks Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s silence

Lok Sabha opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have not yet issued any statement on the Jharkhand student protests, nor have they demanded accountability for the irregularities. The BJP has made it an issue. Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that the Congress has become a party that “speaks on selective issues.”

He told ANI, “The Congress is silent on the paper leaks in Jharkhand, Punjab, and Karnataka. Rahul goes to Prayagraj and creates a ruckus. The people of the country are watching. They know who Amit Shah is. There is no need to seek a certificate from Rahul Gandhi.” He even called the Congress an enemy of democracy and alleged that the Congress is avoiding speaking in Jharkhand because of its alliance with the JMM. “The government is yours, that’s why they’re silent”

BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh also accused the Congress of adopting a double standard. He said that the leaders who hijacked the student movement in Delhi sometimes boarded buses and sometimes led foot marches. But now that students are on the streets in Jharkhand, Rahul Gandhi doesn’t have time to listen. Chugh said, “The reason is clear. The government in Jharkhand is yours. That’s why they’re not saying a word. The state government should accept the students’ demands.”

JMM’s response: 98% of demands accepted

Congress has not yet responded to these allegations. Meanwhile, coalition partner JMM issued a clarification. JMM MP Mahua Maji said that 98 percent of the students’ demands have already been met and the protesters have accepted them.

He said that the CID is investigating and the government has directed the matter to be resolved within 90 days through a fast-track court. Maji said, “It is not in the government’s power to cancel the exam without a court order. Concessions have already been made regarding the JPSC. During the BJP’s tenure, there were widespread paper leaks and irregularities in the first and second JPSC exams.”

Conflict between politics and students

The Congress, which has been cornering the central government on the NEET issue, is facing similar protests in its own state, raising questions about its silence. The BJP is calling it coalition dharma. Meanwhile, the JMM is claiming action is being taken. Currently, students in Jharkhand are adamant about their demands, while political parties are attacking each other.