Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on his birthday as students marched towards the Assembly in Ranchi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on his birthday on Monday. The message came as JPSC and JSSC aspirants held a Vidhan Sabha Gherao protest in Ranchi over alleged recruitment examination irregularities.
Ranchi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended birthday wishes to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren through a post on X as student protests continued in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
“Best wishes to Jharkhand’s Chief Minister, Shri Hemant Soren Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with a long life and wonderful health,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.
The birthday message came on a day when thousands of students participating in the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ programme marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi. The protesters are seeking action on their demands related to recruitment examinations and have called for changes to the state’s examination system.
The Prime Minister’s post also drew responses from several users on X, with some questioning the timing of the birthday greeting in view of the ongoing student protest.
PM Modi Birthday Message Draws Reactions on X
Several users responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday message for Hemant Soren by referring to the student demonstration in Ranchi.
Amitabh Chaudhary, using the handle @MithilaWaaala, wrote that instead of distributing cake on his birthday, Hemant Soren had “distributed lathi” among students. The post also criticised opposition parties and journalist Ravish Kumar over the issue.
The remarks were made as a response to the Prime Minister’s birthday message and represented the user’s criticism of the Jharkhand government. The claim regarding lathi use was part of the social media response and was not independently established in the material provided.
Another X user, Pranav Jha, questioned whether Hemant Soren deserved a birthday greeting while students were protesting against the Jharkhand government and marching towards the Assembly. He referred to the use of water cannons and alleged lathi action against students.
Aansh, using the handle @1947aansh_, responded with a message asking the Chief Minister to listen to Jharkhand’s youth, address their issues and work towards the state’s future.
Sumita Shrivastava also called on Soren to listen to the state’s youth and address their concerns. She additionally said she hoped he would act on the issues raised by the students.
JPSC JSSC Protest Moves Towards Jharkhand Assembly
Thousands of students marched towards the New Assembly building in Ranchi under the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ programme. The protesters are seeking action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC.
Student leaders said the issues affect recruitment opportunities for aspirants across Jharkhand and called on the state government to address their demands.
The demonstration intensified after some protesters crossed police barricades positioned along the route to the Assembly. Security personnel used water cannons to disperse the protesters as the march continued.
A protester was also seen climbing onto a police barricade during the demonstration as JPSC and JSSC aspirants continued moving towards the Assembly.
The protesters are demanding an overhaul of the state’s examination system, cancellation of some examinations and an investigation by the federal police.
Hundreds of police personnel were deployed around the Assembly, where multitiered barbed-wire barricades and surveillance drones were used as security measures. The deployment followed repeated rounds of talks between student representatives and the state government that failed to resolve the dispute.
Jharkhand Police Use Water Cannons During Student March
Security personnel used water cannons after protesters moved past barricades near Jagannath Mandir, located about 3 km from the Assembly complex.
Visuals from the protest showed students gathering near barricades while security personnel attempted to prevent the protesters from advancing towards the Assembly.
The protest is part of the students’ campaign over issues concerning JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Student leaders have maintained that the government should respond to their demands and take action on the concerns raised by aspirants. The demonstration also included a hunger strike by student leaders.
Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahto Continues Hunger Strike
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said he would continue participating in the protest despite his health condition.
“My health is not more important than the future of the students,” Devendra Nath Mahto said.
Mahto joined Monday’s march on a stretcher after fasting for nine days. At least six protesters remained on an indefinite hunger strike, according to the information provided.
Addressing the crowd, Mahto said the presence of barricades would not stop the protesters.
“Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us,” Mahto said.
Mahto said the issues affecting students were linked to the future of a large number of aspirants. He said his health condition was weak but maintained that the concerns of students were more important.
The student leaders have said the hunger strike will continue until their demands are addressed.
Opposition Faces Political Questions Over Jharkhand Protest
The Jharkhand student protest has also drawn political attention as opposition parties that previously criticised the Union government over examination paper leaks and police action against protesting students now face similar questions in states governed by opposition parties.
In recent days, protests related to examination and recruitment issues have also been reported in Karnataka and Punjab, while the Jharkhand agitation has continued for several weeks.
The developments have given the BJP at the Centre an opportunity to question opposition parties over what it describes as selective responses to student protests.
The Congress has also faced criticism over its response to the Jharkhand demonstrations, particularly because it is part of the ruling alliance in the state.
The political debate comes as student representatives continue to seek action on their demands concerning JPSC and JSSC examinations.
The protest in Ranchi and the responses to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday message have therefore unfolded alongside the ongoing dispute over recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.
