Jharkhand students protest: The agitation by students and job aspirants over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 16th day in Ranchi on Sunday, August 9, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren assuring protesting youths that the government would ensure justice and take strict action against those found responsible.
The protesters have been staging their agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, with several aspirants also observing an indefinite hunger strike.
Hemant Soren Assures Protesters of Justice
Addressing the Adivasi Mahotsav, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government was committed to protecting democracy and ensuring justice for young people protesting for their rights.
According to PTI, Soren said alleged irregularities would be investigated and those found responsible would face strict action.
He also urged the protesting students to engage in dialogue with the government and said their grievances could be addressed through discussions.
At the same time, Soren appealed to students not to seek political patronage for their agitation and warned political parties against misleading protesters.
The Chief Minister said the movement should not be given a political colour and assured that the government would work transparently to address the students’ concerns.
Jharkhand Government Resumes Talks With Students
The state government resumed discussions with protesting aspirants on Sunday in an attempt to break the deadlock.
The latest talks followed multiple meetings between government representatives and different student organisations on Friday and Saturday. However, those discussions had failed to produce a breakthrough.
The government has said it is examining the concerns raised by student groups and has described the recent meetings as constructive.
However, sections of the protesting students have questioned the government’s approach of holding separate discussions with different organisations.
Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahto’s Health Deteriorates
The health condition of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for nearly a week, reportedly deteriorated early Sunday.
Doctors found his blood glucose level had fallen to 53, prompting medical attention.
Another protester, Rahul Krantim, who is also on hunger strike, is undergoing treatment under medical supervision in the intensive care unit of Sadar Hospital.
According to the latest information, six protesters are observing an indefinite hunger strike as part of the ongoing agitation.
BJP Steps Up Attack on Hemant Soren Government
The protest has also intensified political criticism of the Jharkhand government.
Dumri MLA and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha chief Jairam Mahto joined the agitation and observed a day-long fast in solidarity with the students.
Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Jharkhand BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu, and party chief whip Naveen Jaiswal also met protesting students at the stadium on Sunday.
Sanjay Seth criticised the Chief Minister for not meeting the protesters earlier and accused the government of attempting to divide the student movement by holding separate meetings with different organisations.
The BJP has backed the students’ demand for stronger action over the alleged examination irregularities.
What Are the Students Demanding?
The protesting students have raised several demands concerning alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
Among the key demands are:
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination
- Investigation into alleged examination irregularities
- A probe into disputed examinations by an independent agency
- Reforms in the recruitment examination system
- Greater transparency in the examination process
- Inclusion of tribal and regional languages as qualifying subjects
- Cancellation of examinations where irregularities have been established
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has also criticised the government’s decision to hold separate discussions with different student organisations.
JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch Accuses Government of ‘Political Manoeuvring’
Ravindra Paswan of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch alleged that the government’s latest round of talks was an attempt to create divisions within the student movement.
The organisation claimed that the government was attempting to shift attention away from the protesters’ core demands.
The government, however, has maintained that discussions with student organisations are aimed at finding a solution to the ongoing dispute.
JPSC, JSSC Exam Reforms Demands
Different student organisations have submitted separate sets of demands to the government.
The Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) has demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination.
The NSUI submitted a six-point charter that includes a demand for a CID investigation into JPSC and JSSC examinations facing allegations of irregularities. It has also called for the creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency, modelled on the National Testing Agency.
The Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) has demanded the inclusion of tribal and regional languages as qualifying subjects in recruitment examinations and cancellation of examinations where irregularities have been established.
Assembly March Planned for August 10
The students have warned that their agitation will escalate if their demands are not addressed.
Protesters have announced plans to march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 if the government does not accept their demands.
Meanwhile, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has separately announced a march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 11.
The ongoing agitation has already witnessed clashes between ABVP members and police near the Chief Minister’s residence after protesters attempted to cross barricades.
19 Arrested Over Alleged JPSC Irregularities
The government has also taken action in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.
According to the latest information, 19 people have been arrested over alleged irregularities linked to JPSC examinations.
Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has also been questioned four times since July 28 as part of the investigation.
The Higher and Technical Education Department has additionally created an email address to collect suggestions from aspirants on possible reforms to the recruitment process.
Jharkhand Students Protest: What Happens Next?
The immediate focus will remain on the government’s talks with protesting students and whether the discussions can resolve the standoff.
The health of hunger-striking protesters, the planned Assembly marches on August 10 and 11, and the government’s response to demands for cancellation and investigation of disputed examinations are likely to remain key developments.
For now, the students have indicated that the agitation will continue until their major demands are addressed.
Jharkhand Students Protest: Key Highlights
- Protest enters 16th day
- Hemant Soren promises justice and strict action
- Government resumes talks with student groups
- Six protesters reportedly on indefinite hunger strike
- Devendra Nath Mahto’s health deteriorates
- Rahul Krantim under medical supervision
- Students demand action over alleged JPSC/JSSC irregularities
- 19 people arrested over alleged JPSC examination irregularities
- Assembly march planned for August 10
- ABVP plans separate march on August 11
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available at the time of publication. Allegations of examination irregularities remain subject to investigation and due process.
