EFFGY OF PM BURNT AGAIST LATHI-CHARGE

EFFGY OF PM BURNT AGAIST LATHI-CHARGE

22-JULY-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA-----------------------------A massive protest was held on Tuesday in Ara, Bihar, to condemn the police action against student and youth organizations that were demonstrating at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over issues such as education, employment, paper leaks, transparent recruitment processes, and youth rights. Within the Ara railway station premises, students, youths, and activists from various organizations raised slogans against the central government and burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. During the protest, demands were raised for the central government to seriously consider the students' grievances and to conduct an impartial inquiry into the police action.

Documents required for application: Aadhaar card, Class 12 marksheet, and caste certificate (in two copies).

The event was led by Alok Ranjan, the Bhojpur district spokesperson for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and a former student leader, while the proceedings were conducted by Zila Parishad member Bhim Yadav. A large number of students, youths, social activists, and representatives from various organizations participated in the protest. The demonstrators raised their voices demanding transparency in the education system, employment, and recruitment processes.

Addressing the gathering, Alok Ranjan stated that raising demands peacefully is a constitutional right of every citizen in a democracy. He alleged that while students and youths were agitating over issues concerning employment, paper leaks, transparent recruitment, and education, force was used against them instead of their concerns being heard. He remarked that instead of addressing the problems faced by the youth—such as unemployment and inflation—attempts are being made to suppress democratic movements, which is a matter of concern.

Zila Parishad member and former student leader Bhim Yadav stated that subjecting the youth to a lathi-charge when they are demanding their future, education, and employment runs contrary to democratic values. He urged the government to engage in dialogue with the protesters and take a positive decision regarding their demands. They also alleged that the future of lakhs of young people has been affected by the recurring irregularities and paper leak incidents in competitive examinations.

Youth leader Anurag Pandey stated that irregularities in competitive exams, delays in recruitment processes, rising unemployment, and the increasing financial burden of education have become the primary concerns for the youth. He remarked that resorting to the use of force against protesting students, rather than addressing these issues, is incompatible with a democratic system.

In his address, youth leader Kumud Patel emphasized that voices of dissent and protest must be respected in a democracy. He noted that if students cannot even peacefully voice their demands regarding their rights and employment, it is a matter of serious concern for the democratic system. He urged the government to adopt a path of dialogue and resolution instead of suppression.

Former student leader Abhishek Dwivedi stated that the country's youth are fighting for education, employment, and social justice. He warned that if the government relies on police force instead of engaging in dialogue on these issues, youth discontent will only escalate. Meanwhile, Rajnish Yadav, a research scholar at Veer Kunwar Singh University, asserted that any attempt to stifle the democratic voices of students and the youth would fail, and their struggle would continue.

At the conclusion of the protest, the participants demanded that the central government seriously consider the demands of students and the youth, conduct an impartial inquiry into the police action, and ensure the protection of democratic rights. A large number of students and youths were present on the occasion, including Zila Parishad member Sonu Rajak, Harifan Yadav, Tushar Vijeta, Dhanjit Yadav, Amit Thakur, Teju Tyagi, Prince Thakur, Vikas, Ganguly, Viku Pradhan, Munna Samrat, Anuj, Vijay, and Ravi.