VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Sam Pitroda backs Jharkhand student protests NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Monday backed protesting students in Jharkhand as an agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations intensified in Ranchi. Criticising the government’s use of lathis, tear gas and water cannons, Pitroda called for “reform, accountability and compassion” as the protests entered their 18th day.The development comes as the Jharkhand students’ ‘Vidhan Sabha gherao’ march in Ranchi on Monday saw police use lathis and water cannons to disperse protesters. The march was organised over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).The protesters are demanding, among other measures, the cancellation of the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities and reforms in the recruitment process.In a series of posts on X, the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) global chairman said the grievances of young people should be addressed through dialogue.”The images from Ranchi disturb me deeply”, he wrote.Pitroda said students should not be met with force, calling them India’s future and expressing solidarity with Jharkhand’s youth.In another post, Pitroda said, “Democracy requires governments to create space for peaceful dissent, dialogue and resolution.”Pitroda’s remarks came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the police action and called for dialogue with the protesting students, urging the Jharkhand government to address their grievances. The Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government is run by a JMM-led coalition in which the Congress is a partner.Pitroda also said the protesting youth deserved to be heard respectfully and urged authorities to address their concerns over fair examinations, transparent recruitment, employment opportunities and their prospects for the future.”These are not unreasonable demands. India owes its youth a system they can trust”, he added in the postHe further said the concerns of students needed to be viewed in the context of the sacrifices made by their families.”Behind every protesting student is a family that has sacrificed – often for years for education and the hope of a job.Pitroda criticised the JMM-led Jharkhand government over the handling of recruitment and examination-related grievances, saying delays in recruitment and failures in examinations risk eroding young people’s trust in the system. He called for “reform, accountability and compassion” in addressing their concerns.Calling India’s youth its “greatest assets”, Pitroda said the country’s demographic dividend could turn into frustration if education does not translate into opportunities and examinations fail to inspire confidence.”We must redesign education, assessment and employment systems for this generation — not punish them for demanding change,” he said.On Monday, police and protesters clashed during the march outside the Jharkhand Assembly. Police resorted to at least three rounds of lathicharge, while tear gas shells and water cannons were also used to disperse demonstrators.Injured protester alleged that police began the lathicharge without warning.The police have, however, given a different account of the events. Ranchi deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri said a stone was thrown at a police jawan and alleged that some “anti-social elements” attempted to provoke police and officials during the protest.Addressing a press conference, Bhajantri said the police had exercised restraint throughout the demonstration and used “mild force” only after a situation arose in which a jawan’s life was allegedly at risk.Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said most students were peaceful but alleged that a section of protesters damaged barricades and pelted stones.The protest also affected Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who was admitted to Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after taking part in the march.Mahto had been on hunger strike for nine days at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium before joining the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march despite his deteriorating health. He was later admitted to hospital.The police action drew criticism from political leaders across party lines. On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also condemned the police action and called for dialogue with the protesting students.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions,” Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X, on Monday.He further urged the Jharkhand government to address the students’ grievances.”The Jharkhand government must continue to hear these students out and resolve their issues immediately,” he added.The JPSC and JSSC examinations have been at the centre of protests by aspirants over alleged irregularities. Separately, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI World DeskAt TOI World Desk, our dedicated team of seasoned journalists and passionate writers tirelessly sifts through the vast tapestry of global events to bring you the latest news and diverse perspectives round the clock. With an unwavering commitment to accuracy, depth, and timeliness, we strive to keep you informed about the ever-evolving world, delivering a nuanced understanding of international affairs to our readers. Join us on a journey across continents as we unravel the stories that shape our interconnected world.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan ClaimSupriya Sule Says No Politics In PM Modi Meet As NCP-SP MPs Raise Maharashtra’s Key Demands‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?Jharkhand Showdown: Protesters Set To Gherao State Assembly; Demand JSSC-CGL Cancellation, CBI Probe123Photostories5 yoga positions that can undo hours of sitting“Everything is in a state of flux”: Sadhguru explains why these two times of day are special for yogaWhen Ankita Lokhande Recalled Her Pavitra Rishta Days: From not going home for 3 months, taking showers on set to washing and rewearing the same undergarmentsPrincess Diana to Grace Kelly: Popular fashion muses behind luxury’s most iconic handbags”… served non-stop with coconut chutney and a tub of…”: Vicky Kaushal on his go-to me-time meal beyond parathas; recipes inside10 beautiful baby names that mean “blessing from God”Optical illusions and personality test: What you spot first reveals your hidden personality traitsWhat happens when you consume Tulsi leaves daily? 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NEW DELHI: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has announced a nationwide campaign to improve government schools in villages, seeking to address the “neglect of rural educational infrastructure”.The campaign will be launched on August 15, with the CJP calling on citizens, parents and village leaders to work together to improve basic facilities in government schools.Dipke said he would launch the initiative from his village in Hingoli, Maharashtra, by approaching the village head and requesting him to take steps to improve government schools there.“The coming 15th August is our 80th Independence Day. But, if anything has been neglected or ignored the most in the last 80 years, it is the government schools in our villages,” Dipke said on Monday.“We have made a new Parliament, a new PM house. Why have we not been able to build new schools in our villages? Do we not consider the children of farmers and labourers the future of our country?” he asked.Dipke said children in villages continue to face difficulties in accessing schools and basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets.“Even today, village children have to walk a long distance to go to school. After going there, they don’t find water or toilet facilities,” he said, highlighting the difficulties faced by girls in particular.“I feel that on this 15th August, if we should pay attention to anything, if we should make a new start, we should start by improving our government schools,” he said.The ‘Sarpanch Challenge’As part of the campaign, the CJP has appealed to sarpanches across the country to take up the task of improving government schools in their respective villages.Dipke said he would personally approach the village head in Hingoli and urged other sarpanches to do the same in their villages.The organisation has termed the initiative the “Sarpanch Challenge”, under which it plans to publicly recognise village heads who improve their schools by sharing before-and-after photographs on its social media platforms and giving credit to the sarpanches concerned.“We will give you credit so that after seeing you, after seeing the schools that you have improved, many other village heads also start improving schools in their villages,” Dipke said.The CJP has also called for a citizen-led social audit of government schools.Parents whose children study in government schools have been asked to visit the institutions and check basic facilities, including electricity, clean drinking water, functional washrooms and mid-day meals.“You go to your children’s schools and see if basic facilities are available. See if there is electricity, water… Do your children get washroom facilities? Do they get mid-day meals?” Dipke said.He urged parents to record videos if basic facilities were unavailable. The CJP said it would soon issue a printable audit form through which citizens could record the facilities available at their children’s schools and those that were missing.The form will be shared through links on campaign videos on the CJP’s official social media platforms and completed forms and video evidence can be emailed to the organisation.The campaign aims to ensure that children of farmers and wage labourers studying in village schools have access to facilities comparable to those available to children in cities.“If not, you make videos of it. Because your children’s schooling should be good. That is your fundamental right,” Dipke said.“Let us all make a promise to the children who live in villages that we will improve their schools. Together, we can do this,” he said, concluding his video with the message, “Real India lives in villages”.CJP backs Jharkhand protestsIn a separate video, Dipke also extended his support to Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who was hospitalised after his health deteriorated during a hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.Calling the alleged police action against protesters “cruel and inhuman”, Dipke drew a parallel with student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. “Be it Jantar Mantar or Jharkhand, such police brutality against students is cruel and inhuman,” he said.“CJP stands firmly with Devendra bhai and his struggle. He is a true hero. We salute his courage and strength!” he added.Mahto has been at the centre of the ongoing JPSC-JSSC agitation in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. He had been on an indefinite hunger strike and joined the students’ Vidhan Sabha gherao march on Monday, arriving at the protest in an ambulance as his health deteriorated.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelinesThe CJP, which began as an online satirical platform, later took its campaign to the streets. Its 36-day agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against examination irregularities was called off on July 25 following the resignation of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan ClaimSupriya Sule Says No Politics In PM Modi Meet As NCP-SP MPs Raise Maharashtra’s Key Demands‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?Jharkhand Showdown: Protesters Set To Gherao State Assembly; Demand JSSC-CGL Cancellation, CBI Probe123Photostories5 yoga positions that can undo hours of sitting“Everything is in a state of flux”: Sadhguru explains why these two times of day are special for yogaWhen Ankita Lokhande Recalled Her Pavitra Rishta Days: From not going home for 3 months, taking showers on set to washing and rewearing the same undergarmentsPrincess Diana to Grace Kelly: Popular fashion muses behind luxury’s most iconic handbags”… served non-stop with coconut chutney and a tub of…”: Vicky Kaushal on his go-to me-time meal beyond parathas; recipes inside10 beautiful baby names that mean “blessing from God”Optical illusions and personality test: What you spot first reveals your hidden personality traitsWhat happens when you consume Tulsi leaves daily? Sadhguru and Hansaji on its benefits, traditional uses and what science says7 Teacup dog breeds that are perfect for apartment living in IndiaEnd your day on a calmer note with these 5 simple evening rituals123Hot PicksMumbai rainNEET PG city intimation slipSlovenia Indian embassyJharkhand protestWeather AhmedabadAjit DovalIran warAtiq Ahmed sonAssam floodsTop TrendingAhmedabad Rape CaseSurat PG Medical Student SuicideEthanol BlendingTN Cauvery Water DisputeAtiq Ahmed SonHyderabad Hit and Run CaseAssam Floods DeathsAbhijeet DipkeTarun TejpalShakeel Noorani Aug 11, 2026, 09:23 IST Who is Deepti Gaur Mukerjee? The IAS officer named India’s new Higher Education Secretary Demi Lovato reunites with Nick Jonas, Joe and Kevin Jonas at ‘Camp Rock 3’ premiere; fans get emotional with ‘Then and Now’ pics ‘I still miss him’: China’s AI crackdown leaves users mourning lost virtual boyfriends Congress Warring predicts AAP govt collapse in Punjab (PTI photo) NEW DELHI: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took a dig at chief minister Bhagwant Mann, saying the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session could be his last. The sharp jibe at Punjab CM came months prior to Punjab’s assembly elections set for early next year.Warring also claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party government could soon lose its majority because of growing discontent among its MLAs.While bidding farewell to Mann, Warring said the chief minister would “at no cost” complete his tenure. He claimed that even if the Punjab assembly elections are held as scheduled in February 2027, Mann would not remain chief minister until then.”The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to implode very soon as the government is losing its majority. Many MLAs are just waiting for the opportune moment, which is not very far,” he said.Warring claimed that most AAP MLAs were “completely alienated and disillusioned” with their own government. “For four and a half years, they have felt suffocated and they are now waiting for the breather,” he said.The Punjab Congress chief alleged that despite receiving a strong mandate, the AAP government had failed both the people of Punjab and its own MLAs.”Mann has proved to be the worst ever chief minister Punjab had, for which they will never forgive him,” he said.Warring also criticised CM Mann for continuing to rely on his image as a comedian after becoming chief minister.He said Mann had failed to understand that his role had changed after taking charge of the state.”Unfortunately, Mann could not make the difference that his stage had changed and he was no longer required to survive through narrating jokes and anecdotes. People of Punjab had not elected you to make them laugh, for that they already had enough of your comedy,” he said.The PCC president said people had voted for Mann expecting “badlaav” (change), but alleged that he had instead given up his authority to “outsiders” to protect his position as chief minister.”Instead, you surrendered all your authority to outsiders while guarding your chief ministerial chair, for which you sacrificed the interests of Punjab. History will never forgive you for that,” Warring warned CM Mann.Earlier, on August 5, Warring said he wanted to contest the 2027 assembly election against Mann and urged the Congress leadership to field him from Mann’s constituency.Addressing a gathering in Faridkot, Warring said the final decision would be taken by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines”While Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have to make a decision. I am not in a position to do that. Either don’t field me at all, or if you do field me, field me against Bhagwant Mann. I will contest,” he said.The remarks come as political parties prepare for the 2027 Punjab assembly elections. The AAP, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have already started preparations for the polls.The AAP won the 2022 Punjab assembly elections with a strong majority, forming its first government in the state and ending the Congress’ tenure in power.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosCJP Core Committee Dispute: Two Youths On Hunger Strike In Abhijit Dipke’s Hometown Hospitalised‘Only Dialogue Can Solve This’: Rahul Gandhi Backs Peaceful Jharkhand Student Protest | WatchJharkhand Students Storm Assembly Gates Amid Tear Gas, Lathicharge As ED Probe Intensifies Exam RowBihar Man Posed As IAS Officer, Claimed Doval Link; Police Seize Tesla, SUV And Imported Liquor’Mujhe Narendra Naam Se Nafrat Ho Gayi Hai’: PM Modi Interacts With India’s CWG Champions | Watch109 Years Later, MP Man Gets U.K. Response On War Loan ClaimSupriya Sule Says No Politics In PM Modi Meet As NCP-SP MPs Raise Maharashtra’s Key Demands‘Hitting Us On Head, Face’: Police Lathi-Charge Students During Assembly Gherao March In JharkhandModi Govt Going Slow On FCRA Bill To Woo Stalin’s DMK, Sharad Pawar’s NCP-SP For Delimitation?Jharkhand Showdown: Protesters Set To Gherao State Assembly; Demand JSSC-CGL Cancellation, CBI Probe123Photostories5 yoga positions that can undo hours of sitting“Everything is in a state of flux”: Sadhguru explains why these two times of day are special for yogaWhen Ankita Lokhande Recalled Her Pavitra Rishta Days: From not going home for 3 months, taking showers on set to washing and rewearing the same undergarmentsPrincess Diana to Grace Kelly: Popular fashion muses behind luxury’s most iconic handbags”… served non-stop with coconut chutney and a tub of…”: Vicky Kaushal on his go-to me-time meal beyond parathas; recipes inside10 beautiful baby names that mean “blessing from God”Optical illusions and personality test: What you spot first reveals your hidden personality traitsWhat happens when you consume Tulsi leaves daily? 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