Student movement in Jharkhand seen as triumph of Gandhian values, says party spokesperson

The two‑month student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged malpractice in the JSSC and JPSC examinations has been labeled a “major win for Gandhian values” by BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdev. Speaking on August 20, the spokesperson said the protest illustrated that even the strongest powers must respect non‑violent principles.

Shahdev noted that the demonstrators halted their march after achieving a pause in the state’s decision to cancel the exams, thereby showcasing the effectiveness of democratic engagement. He contrasted this disciplined protest with chaotic scenes at Jantar Mantar, where, according to him, some participants resorted to vulgar language and controversial statements.

The BJP representative also criticized the state government for initiating legal proceedings without first serving a show‑cause notice to the affected aspirants. He contended that bypassing this procedural step undermines natural justice and could force the judiciary to intervene.

According to Shahdev, the government’s approach appears designed to create “legal entanglements” that may later be used to obtain a stay order, a move he believes will ultimately backfire on the administration.