"This is not Jantar Mantar, don't raise azaadi slogans," a young protester is heard telling fellow students in Jharkhand in a viral video. The remark has highlighted the contrast between the student-led protests in Ranchi and the earlier demonstrations at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. While the Gen Z protests in Delhi drew attention over videos of students, including some minors, using abusive language and the visible presence of political leaders, the ongoing agitation in Jharkhand has deliberately stayed away from political slogans, personal attacks and offensive language.
For the past two weeks, hundreds of students have been protesting in Ranchi against alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations, particularly the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recruitment process. As the movement gathered momentum, the Hemant Soren government initiated talks with the students on Thursday.
HOW THE JHARKHAND PROTEST STANDS APART
The protesters in Ranchi are focused on ensuring that the agitation remains centred on their demands and is not diverted by political interests. Several images circulating on social media show a "code of conduct" displayed at different locations around the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Although it is unclear who put up the posters, the guidelines urge participants not to raise political slogans or make religious or caste-related remarks. They also advise students against using abusive language or targeting political leaders during speeches.
The code further states, "Keep your statements focused only on the core objectives of the movement. Our struggle is for systemic reform."
A separate video circulating online shows a student asking fellow protesters to avoid abusive slogans.
"This is not Jantar Mantar," he says, adding that the organisers have worked hard to build the movement.
"Hum log bohut mehnaat kar rahe hai (We have put in a lot of effort). No one will support anyone raising azaadi or religious or political slogans," he says.
The message indicates that those leading the agitation are determined to keep it issue-focused and prevent it from becoming a platform for political confrontation or abusive rhetoric.
CONTRAST WITH JANTAR MANTAR PROTEST
The approach differs significantly from the protests at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, where videos showing students, including some under the age of 18, using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother had gone viral. Protest slogans directed at the BJP and the government ranged from slang to offensive remarks.
The controversy shifted public attention away from the protesters' demands and towards their conduct. BJP MP Kangana Ranaut described Gen Z as a "generation gutter" during the debate.
An FIR was also filed against a 15-year-old protester for allegedly using abusive language against the Prime Minister. However, it was later withdrawn after PM Modi said in an Instagram video that he had forgiven the students.
"Some youngsters hurled crude abuses... I was personally abused, and even my late mother was subjected to vile insults," the Prime Minister said.
"Abuses never solve anything. Punishing them, dragging them through court proceedings, or harassing them—none of this will change the situation. I wish to forgive them," he added.
Organisers of the Ranchi protest appear keen to avoid a similar controversy.
DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS
The two protests also differ in terms of the participants.
The Jantar Mantar agitation centred on the alleged NEET-UG paper leak, an examination taken by students after Class 12, meaning that many protesters belonged to Gen Z, although people from other sections of society also joined the movement.
In contrast, the ongoing agitation in Jharkhand is largely being led by older aspirants, many above the age of 25. Observers believe this difference in age and experience is reflected in the nature of the protests.
The Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar eventually witnessed unrest, with Delhi Police claiming that around 3,000 people with criminal backgrounds had infiltrated the demonstrations and were involved in the violence on July 20.
So far, the Ranchi protest has remained peaceful, with its disciplined approach drawing attention in comparison to the controversy that surrounded the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
