Rahul Gandhi writes to Hemant Soren over Jharkhand student protests

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has written to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet students protesting alleged irregularities in state recruitment exams. The letter, dated August 14, was delivered to Soren by Dr Kumar Raja, president of the Ranchi Congress committee, sources told Times Now.

In the letter, Gandhi described the protest as peaceful and the students' demands as legitimate. He alleged the education system has been "captured by the RSS and BJP" and turned into a tool of exploitation, The Hindu reports. The Times of India adds that Gandhi said the Congress believes peaceful protest is a pillar of democracy and that the youth deserve solidarity.

The agitation, which has continued at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, concerns exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Staff Selection Commission. Students seek a CBI probe and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam. Gandhi noted that some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike and urged Soren to resolve the issue through dialogue.