Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other leaders on Monday extended birthday wishes to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, amid heightened political activity in the state over the ongoing JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest.
In a post shared on X, PM Modi said, "Best wishes to Jharkhand's Chief Minister, Shri Hemant Soren Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with a long life and wonderful health."
https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2086641301529960767
Rajnath Singh wrote on X, "Birthday greetings to Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren ji. May he be blessed with good health and long life."
https://x.com/rajnathsingh/status/2086664732170453071
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief MK Stalin also wished Soren, saying, "Birthday greetings to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand Thiru. @HemantSorenJMM. Wishing you good health, happiness and continued success in serving the people of Jharkhand."
https://x.com/mkstalin/status/2086732967003718104
Furthermore, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal also extended greetings to Soren, saying, "Birthday greetings to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren Ji. Wishing you good health, success, and a long life."
https://x.com/arvindkejriwal/status/2086721100604690449
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy extended his wishes, saying, "Warm birthday greetings to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shri Hemant Soren Ji. May you be blessed with good health, strength and a long life. May your leadership continue to contribute to the progress, prosperity and welfare of the people of Jharkhand."
https://x.com/kishanreddybjp/status/2086703414227136906
The birthday wishes came amid a political standoff in Jharkhand over the protests by JPSC-JSSC aspirants demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and reforms in the recruitment process.
Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi and several BJP leaders were detained by state police during protests outside the Chief Minister's residence over the issue.
"Students are continuing their protest, but the government is distracting people. JPSC-JSSC-CGL, all of these should be investigated by the CBI," Marandi said.
BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo also urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to address the demands of the protesting students and warned against any police action.
"Today is Chief Minister Hemant Soren's birthday. The students and their parents have already given you a birthday gift by bringing you back to power. Today is the time for a return gift; you should fulfil the demands of the students," Deo told ANI.
He alleged that security arrangements during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march were excessive and said, "Are you trying to show a reign of terror? This is a students' protest, and we do not want to give it a political colour."
Meanwhile, Soren on Sunday assured protesting students that justice would be delivered transparently and those responsible for irregularities would face strict action.
"Our youth are staging protests and agitations to claim their rights. The youth will receive justice, and those responsible for the irregularities will face the severest possible punishment," Soren had said.
He also urged students to resolve the issue through dialogue, saying, "The solution to every issue lies in dialogue, not in the use of batons or bullets."
Amid demands for a CBI probe into alleged examination irregularities, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the matter.