'We owe them our solidarity': Rahul writes to ally Soren over student protests

'We owe them our solidarity': Rahul Gandhi writes to ally Hemant Soren over Jharkhand student protests TOI News Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Aug 17, 2026, 12:11 IST Comments Share AA Text Size Small Medium Large Rahul wrote a letter to Jharkhand CM and ally urging him to meet the student protestor representatives. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet students protesting alleged irregularities in the state's recruitment examinations.The letter, dated August 14 but made public on Monday, expressed solidarity with the protesters, with Rahul describing their agitation as peaceful and their demands as legitimate."The Congress party believes that the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the Constitution of India is one of the central pillars of our democracy. We have, therefore, offered our full support to students protesting paper leaks and irregularities in the education system over the last few months. It is also our belief that the Indian education system has been captured by the RSS and BJP and transformed into a tool for the exploitation and oppression of students. It is no longer the robust knowledge system that it used to be a decade ago," said Rahul in the letter. "As you are aware, students in Jharkhand have also been protesting irregularities in the State recruitment examinations. Their protest has been peaceful, and their demands are legitimate. I appreciate that the Jharkhand government has begun a dialogue with them through a committee instituted by you. I believe that there is also agreement on several demands raised by the students. However, the protests continue, and some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike," he added.Further expanding on his support for students, the Congress leader said, "The youth of India is its future. We owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis. Please do your utmost to hear them out and take appropriate action towards the resolution of this issue."Congress is part of the JMM-led ruling coalition in Jharkhand, with Hemant Soren heading the alliance government in the state. The 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."