Aditya Sahu Attacks Jharkhand Government Over Police Action Against Students, Calls August 10 a “Black Day”
Ranchi, August 12, 2026: BJP Jharkhand Pradesh President Aditya Sahu strongly criticised the state government over the alleged police action against students during their Assembly gherao on August 10. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Sahu also targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of maintaining a “double standard” on student issues.
Sahu alleged that the administration used lathi-charge, tear gas, water cannons and other force to suppress the students’ movement. He further alleged that female students were mistreated and that media personnel and their cameras were also targeted during the protest.
“Students’ voices cannot be silenced through lathis, bullets, guns, water cannons or tear gas,” Sahu said, adding that the manner in which the protesters were allegedly treated had turned August 10 into a black day for Jharkhand.
The BJP state president questioned Rahul Gandhi’s response to the Jharkhand student movement. He said that while Gandhi raises student-related issues in other states, he has not put similar pressure on the Jharkhand government regarding the demands of protesting students, including their demand for a CBI inquiry.
Sahu challenged Rahul Gandhi to stand with the students and stage a protest outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. He said that if the government failed to address the students’ demands, Gandhi should consider withdrawing Congress support from the state government.
He also accused Rahul Gandhi of adopting different positions on the resignation of education ministers, alleging that he demands accountability from the Centre but does not raise similar questions regarding Jharkhand.
Sahu said the student movement had now gone beyond Jharkhand and had become a national issue. He highlighted the participation of NDA MPs in raising the issue inside and outside Parliament and assured the students that the BJP would continue their “fight for justice” from the streets to Parliament.
The BJP leader also questioned the Chief Minister’s reported appreciation of police personnel involved in handling the protest. He asked how the alleged use of force against students participating in a democratic protest could be considered commendable.
Sahu further claimed that the Jharkhand bandh called by the BJP against the alleged atrocities on students received widespread public support despite being announced at short notice. He thanked the people of Jharkhand, BJP workers and the media for supporting the bandh.
BJP State Media In-charge Yogendra Pratap Singh, state spokespersons Ashok Baraik, Ajay Rai and Prakash Singh were also present at the press conference.
