New Delhi, Aug. 11 -- Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari on Tuesday defended the state government's handling of student protests over the alleged lathi-charge, accusing the BJP of trying to "hijack" the students' movement and asserting that the government supports peaceful protests.

Speaking about the protests, Ansari said, "We have clearly stated that we support peaceful movements. However, the way the BJP tried to hijack the students' movement yesterday is not right. They sent troublemakers into the movement to crush it."

Targeting the BJP over its call for a shutdown, the Jharkhand minister said, "They should be ashamed of using children as a shield. Who are you to interfere in the students' movement? Who called you? Today you called fo...