New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has written to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to personally meet students protesting alleged irregularities in the state's recruitment examinations.

In his letter dated August 14, Gandhi said the ongoing protest by job aspirants in Ranchi has remained peaceful and described the students' demands as legitimate. He said the Congress supports the right to peaceful protest and has stood with students raising concerns over paper leaks and irregularities in the education system.

Thousands of job aspirants have been staging a sit-in in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination, the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) Examination, and other recruitment tests.

Gandhi also appreciated the fact that the Jharkhand government has already begun dialogue with the protesters. He said that while there appears to be agreement on several of the students' demands, the agitation continues and some students are on an indefinite hunger strike.

"I believe that there is also agreement on several demands raised by the students. However, the protests continue, and some students remain on an indefinite hunger strike. I am writing to suggest that you personally meet with representatives of the protesting students," Gandhi said in the letter.

He added that a direct meeting between the Chief Minister and the students would help reinforce the government's commitment to resolving the remaining concerns.

The protesting students have been demanding a CBI probe, greater transparency in recruitment examinations, and action against those responsible for the alleged irregularities. They have also announced that they will intensify their agitation if their demands are not addressed.

Earlier, the students had asked Gandhi to withdraw support from the JMM led coalition if the Chief Minister did not respond to their concerns. They have also warned of further protests, including a planned gherao of Soren's residence on August 20.

The student movement, led by Devendra Nath Mahto, has continued for several weeks, with protesters maintaining a sit in and some participants remaining on hunger strike.