FIR Filed Over Misbehavior With Girl Student, Babulal Marandi Demands Action Against JMM Workers
Ranchi, August 24: An FIR was filed at Kotwali Police Station in connection with the alleged misbehavior with girl student Pratima Kumari during a protest in Ranchi. BJP Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi accompanied the student and other party leaders to the police station and demanded strict action against those allegedly involved.
Speaking to the media after leaving the police station, Marandi alleged that during the pre-announced effigy-burning programmes held by students on August 21, JMM workers created disturbances and assaulted students at several places, including Ranchi, Giridih, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh and Garhwa.
Marandi claimed that JMM leaders and district-level office-bearers were seen carrying sticks and allegedly beating students. Referring to the situation in Ramgarh, he alleged that a JMM leader had threatened to assault anyone who participated in the effigy-burning programme.
The BJP leader questioned the registration of cases against students and other protesters while, according to him, action had not been taken against those allegedly involved in attacking them. He said magistrates had been deployed at the protest locations and argued that complaints against those allegedly involved in violence should also have been registered.
Marandi further alleged that police personnel were visiting the homes of students and attempting to intimidate them. He urged the government and the concerned magistrates to register FIRs against those accused of attacking the protesters.
He warned that if action was not taken, the BJP would gherao the concerned magistrates from August 25. He said the party would seek answers from officials in Ranchi, Ramgarh, Giridih, Hazaribagh and other districts regarding the alleged failure to take action against those who used sticks and allegedly attacked students.
Marandi also questioned the use of non-bailable sections in cases related to the protest. He said the effigy-burning programme had been announced in advance and alleged that the protesters were neither terrorists nor attempting to obstruct government work.
Marandi Accuses Government of Suppressing Right to Protest
Marandi alleged that the Hemant Soren government was attempting to suppress the democratic right of citizens and students to protest.
He referred to the students' earlier agitation at Jaipal Singh Stadium, alleging that their dharna and hunger strike had been ended after assurances from the government. He further alleged that the government subsequently issued a notification cancelling several appointments and postponing examinations, while bringing earlier recruitments under investigation.
According to Marandi, students initially believed that the government had listened to their concerns, but later felt deceived when the government's decisions faced legal challenges. He said he had already expressed doubts about the government's decision and predicted that the matter could face a stay in court.
Marandi said the students' anger following the developments was understandable and described the August 21 effigy-burning programme as a reaction to that frustration.
He alleged that instead of allowing the students to exercise their democratic right to protest peacefully, JMM workers were used to confront them and allegedly snatch the effigy. He said such conduct would not be tolerated.
BJP Says It Stands With Students
Marandi said he and other BJP leaders went to the police station with girl student Pratima Kumari so that she would not feel alone in her fight.
“We stand firmly with the students,” he said, adding that the BJP would continue to raise the issue and pursue the matter through democratic and legal means.
Former BJP state president Deepak Prakash, state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri, Ranchi Mahanagar president Varun Sahu and other BJP leaders and workers were also present.
