The political tension in Jharkhand escalated as BJP leader Shiv Shankar Singh strongly condemned the FIR lodged against 42 named individuals and 12,000 unknown workers, including BJP leaders, following the Yuva Akrosh Rally organized by the BJP Yuva Morcha. The rally, held at Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi on August 25, was a protest against the alleged breach of promises by the Hemant Soren-led government.
In a sharp rebuke to the state's administration, Shiv Shankar Singh accused the Hemant government of "misusing government machinery" to suppress the voices of the youth and the opposition. He stated, "First the theft and then the arrogance! Filing a case against 12,000 unknown workers, including BJP leaders, by misusing the government machinery for fighting on a public interest issue clearly shows the nervousness of the Hemant government."
Singh further alleged that the FIR was an attempt by the government to intimidate and silence the youth who participated in the rally. "By filing a fake case, the Hemant government is bent on sending the youth to jail without any reason," Singh remarked, expressing his concern over what he termed as a "dictatorial attitude" of the current administration.
The Yuva Akrosh Rally, which saw a massive turnout of BJP youth activists, was marked by slogans and protests demanding accountability from the Hemant government on various unfulfilled promises. According to Singh, the large-scale participation in the rally is a testament to the growing dissatisfaction among the youth in Jharkhand.
"The BJP will not tolerate the dictatorial attitude of the Hemant government towards the public. This protest will intensify further," Singh warned, indicating that the party plans to escalate its opposition activities in the coming days.
The FIR, which names several BJP leaders along with thousands of unidentified participants, has sparked widespread outrage within the BJP and among the rally attendees. Many see it as an overreach by the state government, further fueling the political standoff in Jharkhand.
