Ranchi: The political battle over the police action against protesting students in Jharkhand intensified on Monday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staging a protest outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence and calling the lathi charge on students the "final nail in the coffin" of the JMM-Congress government.

The protests come a day after police used lathi-charge and water cannons to disperse students marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly.

The demonstrators were demanding reforms in recruitment examinations, alleging repeated paper leaks, delays in government recruitments, and irregularities in the selection process.

Senior BJP leaders, including state president Babulal Marandi and several party MLAs, accused the Hemant Soren government of suppressing the voices of unemployed youth instead of addressing their concerns. During the protest, BJP leaders alleged that the government had failed to provide jobs and had resorted to force against students seeking a fair recruitment system.

"The government that promised employment is now responding to students with lathis," BJP leaders said, demanding accountability for the police action.

The issue has also drawn national attention. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi condemned the police action and questioned the government's handling of student protests. He urged the Jharkhand government to address the concerns of the youth through dialogue rather than force.

The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) defended the police action, stating that law enforcement acted only after protesters allegedly breached barricades and attempted to march towards the Assembly despite security restrictions.

Officials maintained that necessary measures were taken to maintain public order.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren had earlier said that "dialogue, not batons, can solve problems," but opposition parties questioned the contradiction between the government's statements and the police response on the ground.

The student agitation has been led by youth organisations demanding transparent recruitment processes, timely government examinations, action against paper leak rackets, and employment opportunities. Student leader Devendra Mahto, who had earlier been on a hunger strike, appealed to protesters to remain peaceful while continuing their movement.

With both the BJP and Congress criticizing the state government's handling of the protests, the issue has emerged as a major political flashpoint in Jharkhand.

The controversy is expected to dominate the Assembly session and intensify the debate over unemployment, examination reforms, and governance in the state.