Actor Prakash Raj has strongly spoken out against the use of force on students protesting in Jharkhand. The actor took to social media to share his anger after videos showed police using tear gas and lathi charges on young job aspirants in Ranchi.
The protests took a violent turn on Monday, August 10, when thousands of students marching towards the Jharkhand legislative assembly were met with heavy police action. Prakash Raj, known for his outspoken views on social and political issues, did not hold back in his response.
Trigger Warning: This article covers a political protest and police action involving the use of tear gas and lathi charges on student demonstrators.
Prakash Raj Shares Protest Video on X
The actor reposted a video from the protest site on his X account (formerly Twitter). The footage showed police using tear gas and lathi charges to break up the student demonstration. Along with the video, Prakash Raj wrote a powerful message that captured his anger.
“Why .. Why .. Why . This brutality will not work anymore.. it will only bring the arrogant power down.”
The post quickly gained attention online. Many of his followers agreed with his views, while others engaged in heated debates about the protest and the police response. The actor’s choice to speak up added a celebrity voice to a situation that has gripped the state for weeks.
What Sparked the Jharkhand Student Protests
The student agitation is not a sudden event. Young people across Jharkhand have been protesting for over two weeks. Their anger is directed at alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by two key state bodies.
The protests are organized by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch. Students are demanding action against the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They claim that competitive exams for government jobs have been compromised.
The main demands are clear. Protesters want the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test held on April 19 to be cancelled. They are also asking for an independent probe by central agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Students believe that large-scale financial transactions are linked to the alleged recruitment scam.
Police Action Turns Violent in Ranchi
Monday’s protest was part of a planned ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march. Students wanted to surround the assembly building to make their voices heard. But the situation quickly turned tense.
Police deployed multiple measures to stop the protesters. Tear gas shells were fired. Water cannons were used. Lathi charges were carried out. Authorities also put up barricades of barbed wire to block the students’ path.
The protesters did not back down easily. They had already been staging an indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since July 29. Their determination only grew stronger after the police action.
Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahato Speaks Out
One of the key figures in this movement is Devendra Nath Mahato. He is the leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM). Mahato has been on a hunger strike for nine days and has lost 10.5 kg during this period.
Despite his weakened condition, Mahato joined Monday’s march in an ambulance. He was carried by fellow protesters as they moved towards the assembly. Speaking about the movement, Mahato made his position clear.
“Our future strategy depends on the government’s decision. I said on day one itself: this voice is not just Devendra Nath Mahato’s. It is the voice of those millions of youths whose futures depend on competitive examinations, those who seek to realise their dreams through books.”
Mahato also described what the protesters faced. He said attempts were made to stop them with barbed wire, water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges. But he emphasized that the protesters remained peaceful throughout.
“Yet, we did not raise a single slogan against the government. We did not engage in any political rhetoric or utter a single obscene word. The only flag present was the Tricolour.”
Injuries and Tensions on the Ground
The clashes left several people injured. According to officials, at least three people were hurt, including two protesters and a Jharkhand Armed Police personnel.
One injured protester, Vikram Kumar, spoke about the police action. He claimed that the lathi charge came without any provocation.
“Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not even hurl any abuses. Suddenly, the police launched a lathi charge. This is not good.”
Another protester, Sanjay Mahto, said his head and legs were hurting and his head was bleeding after being hit.
Political Leaders Join the Protests
The student movement has also drawn attention from political figures. BJP leaders, including Aditya Sahu and Babulal Marandi, were detained after holding a sit-in outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. They were demanding a CBI probe into the exam irregularities.
Marandi, the Leader of the Opposition, accused the government of distracting people from the real issues. He called for all JPSC, JSSC, and CGL matters to be investigated by the CBI.
Government Response and Arrests
The Jharkhand government has tried to address the situation. Officials claim they have accepted 98 per cent of the students’ demands. However, protesters say only three out of 13 exams were agreed for cancellation.
On Monday, authorities arrested L Khiangte, the former chairman of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Khiangte had resigned on July 22 after the state’s Crime Investigation Department took over the probe. He is being investigated in connection with the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The Enforcement Directorate has also launched a money laundering investigation into the recruitment exam irregularities. The agency has based its probe on an FIR registered by the state police CID.
Prakash Raj’s History of Speaking Out
This is not the first time Prakash Raj has used his platform to comment on student protests or government actions. The actor has been one of the most vocal celebrity supporters of student movements in recent months.
In July, he joined the Cockroach Janata Party’s (CJP) ‘Chalo Sansad’ march in Delhi. He waved the Constitution while addressing protesters over alleged NEET examination irregularities. He also spent the night at the Jantar Mantar protest in solidarity with the demonstrators.
The actor has frequently criticized the government’s handling of student agitations. He has consistently used his social media presence to question authority and support young people fighting for their rights.
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What the Protesters Want
The students have been clear about their demands from the beginning. They want the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test. They are demanding a CBI and ED probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities. They also want reforms in the recruitment process conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.
The protesters have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met. The indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium continues. Mahato has said he will not end his fast until the government agrees to their demands.
The movement has brought together thousands of young people from across Jharkhand. They see this as a fight for their future and their dreams. As Mahato put it, this is the voice of millions of youths whose futures depend on these examinations.
The coming days will show whether the government and the protesters can find common ground. But for now, the streets of Ranchi remain tense, and the students show no signs of backing down.
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