Ranchi, Aug 15 (IANS) Agitating students in Jharkhand on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement regarding ‘Yuva Shakti’, while urging the Central as well as the state government to take the strictest possible measures against exam paper leaks.
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, PM Modi said the country would fully harness the power and potential of its youth and integrate their capabilities into the process of nation-building.
He said that the youth have a key role to play in realising the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.
Backing PM Modi’s statement, student leader Ravishankar said that whether it is at the Centre or the state, the matter pertaining to youth is of priority at both places.
“Apart from NEET, irregularities have taken place in many other Central examinations as well. Similar irregularities have taken place in Jharkhand. I want to say to both the governments (state and Centre) that youth are future of the country, until they are self -reliant, India won’t become ‘Aatmanirbhar’ and neither progress ahead,” he told IANS.
He appealed to both the Central and state governments to ensure strictest possible punishment for those involved in paper leaks.
A protester, Nitesh Sinha, echoed, saying: “We support whatever PM Modi said regarding the youth but the government should take stringent measures to stop paper leaks as only then capable youth can contribute in nation building.”
Meanwhile, even as one of the agitators Ramavtar Mahto hailed PM Modi’s remarks, he said: “Some of the rights of Jharkhand like the independent taxes have been snatched away. If all the rights are taken over by the Centre, then power may get misused under state government as was happening during the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examination. The state would then have to beg the Centre for its own dues.”
Mahto was referring to Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which restricted state powers to levy independent taxes and cesses on mineral rights and land. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has strongly opposed the move.
“I request the Central government to roll back this law,” the student told IANS.
Students have been protesting in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.
–IANS
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