More than 100 workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were detained in Ranchi on Tuesday during a protest march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, as student groups continued demonstrations over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and the police action during an earlier protest.

The ABVP members began their procession from the Old Vidhan Sabha area and attempted to march towards the New Vidhan Sabha, a senior police officer said. The detention came a day after police used water cannons and lathis to disperse JPSC and JSSC aspirants during a "Vidhan Sabha gherao" protest in Ranchi.

ABVP March Stopped in Ranchi

The ABVP organised Tuesday's march to highlight the demands being raised by students and competitive examination aspirants in the state.

Police deployed personnel and barricades along the route as the protesters moved towards the Assembly. More than 100 ABVP workers were detained after they attempted to proceed towards the designated security zone, according to officials.

The demonstrations are part of a wider student movement over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by state agencies.

Students Demand Action on Exams

JPSC and JSSC aspirants have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and recruitment procedures.

Among the demands raised by protesters is a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged irregularities. Some protesters have also sought cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination.

Students have accused the state government of failing to fully address their concerns and have continued to press for greater transparency in the recruitment process.

Police Used Water Cannons, Lathis

The latest protest follows Monday's confrontation between police and student protesters in Ranchi.

A group of JPSC and JSSC aspirants had marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly as part of a "Vidhan Sabha gherao" programme. Heavy barricading was put in place to stop the protesters from reaching the Assembly.

When some protesters attempted to cross the barricades, police used water cannons. Clashes subsequently broke out, after which police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd.

The police action triggered criticism from opposition leaders and intensified the political debate surrounding the student protests.

Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action against the protesting students.

He said peaceful student protests should not be met with violence and expressed support for the students' right to raise their concerns.

His remarks also provided fresh ammunition to the political opposition, which has been targeting the Jharkhand government over its handling of the demonstrations.

BJP Targets Hemant Soren Government

The BJP has stepped up its criticism of the Hemant Soren-led government over the protests.

Babulal Marandi, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, urged the Congress to withdraw its support to the state government if it genuinely backed the demands of protesting students.

The BJP has also demanded action over the alleged police excesses and called for a CBI investigation into the examination-related allegations.

The Congress, meanwhile, has faced criticism from the BJP because it is part of the governing arrangement in Jharkhand while its national leaders have criticised police action against students.

Goa BJP Alleges Congress Double Standards

The political dispute has also spread beyond Jharkhand.

Goa BJP leaders on Tuesday accused the Congress of adopting "double standards" over student protests. BJP MLA and state minister Mauvin Godinho alleged that Congress leaders had strongly backed student protests in other parts of the country while remaining silent over the situation in Jharkhand.

Godinho demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi and questioned the Congress's position on the issue.

Student Movement Continues

The continuing protests have put pressure on the Jharkhand government to respond to concerns raised by examination aspirants.

The immediate focus remains on allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations, demands for an independent investigation and the conduct of future examinations.

With political parties now intensifying their interventions, the student agitation has evolved into a wider political issue in the state. Further demonstrations and negotiations between student representatives and the government are expected as protesters continue to seek action on their demands.