RANCHI, India — The protest by Jharkhand students and job aspirants over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 20th day on Thursday, August 13, with demonstrators refusing to withdraw the agitation and announcing a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on August 15. The protesters are demanding a CBI investigation into alleged examination irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.
- 20-day agitation: Hundreds of students gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where the protest has continued since July 29.
- Key demands: Protesters are seeking a CBI probe and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
- August 15 plan: The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has announced a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ to intensify the movement.
- Hunger strike: Four protesters remain under medical supervision, with doctors monitoring their health and electrolyte levels.
Jharkhand students continue recruitment exam protest
The protesters gathered at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and reiterated that the movement would continue until the government addresses their concerns regarding alleged paper leaks, examination irregularities and transparency in recruitment tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
According to the protesters, a four-member panel of state ministers has held several rounds of discussions with their representatives. However, the students said their two principal demands, a CBI investigation and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, have not been accepted.
The protesters also alleged that efforts were being made to divide the movement by addressing some demands while leaving other issues unresolved. They said the agitation was intended not only to seek redress for candidates who appeared in the examinations but also to push for greater accountability in future recruitment processes.
Protesters announce Tiranga Yatra on August 15
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has announced a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ for Independence Day as part of its continuing campaign. The organisation also warned the state government against registering FIRs against what it described as genuine students participating in the movement.
The protesters rejected allegations made by Congress minister Shilpy Neha Tirkey that students were not part of the delegation that met the government panel. Demonstrators displayed their identity cards and maintained that the government should not interfere with their careers or undermine the representation of candidates.
The agitation intensified after protesters and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad alleged that police used lathicharge and water cannons and made arrests during demonstrations on August 10 and 11. The action came during protests linked to the students’ march towards the Jharkhand Assembly.
Four protesters remain on hunger strike
Four students and activists continued their hunger strike on Thursday and remained under medical supervision. Doctors said their overall condition was stable, although some electrolyte levels were abnormal.
Ranchi Sadar Hospital Deputy Superintendent Dr Bimlesh Kumar Singh said Devendra Mahto, Rahul Kranti, Umme Habiba and Mahendra Pratap were continuing their fast. They were receiving multivitamin infusions through dextrose normal saline, while doctors were monitoring sodium, potassium and magnesium levels.
Devendra Nath Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 12 days. He was admitted to hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated following the August 10 march towards the Assembly.
Doctors said Mahto’s vital signs were stable, but he could not yet be discharged because of an electrolyte imbalance. Mahto has maintained that his protest will continue despite receiving medical treatment.
Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti were also admitted after their health deteriorated. Habiba appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to address the students’ concerns and said she would continue her hunger strike until their demands were addressed.
Kranti, who is from Palamu district, began his fast at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on August 4 and was shifted to hospital on August 7. He has since started taking a liquid diet including fruit juice and milk, with his condition gradually improving.
ABVP stages protests in several cities
The agitation received wider support on Thursday when the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad organised demonstrations in several cities demanding an impartial CBI investigation into the alleged JPSC-JSSC examination irregularities.
In New Delhi, ABVP members and students demonstrated outside Jharkhand Bhawan in Vasant Vihar. The organisation said similar protests were held in Lucknow, Kolkata, Guwahati, Agartala, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Surat, Gorakhpur, Jodhpur, Kota, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Varanasi and Prayagraj, along with demonstrations at several university campuses.
ABVP National General Secretary Virendra Singh Solanki demanded a CBI investigation, cancellation and re-conduct of the JSSC-CGL examination, and strict action against those found responsible for the alleged irregularities.
The organisation also raised questions over the credibility of the investigation, pointing to repeated changes in the Special Investigation Team formed to examine the allegations.
ABVP National Secretary Aditya Takiar said students in Jharkhand were seeking justice and that the organisation would continue peaceful demonstrations. Delhi unit secretary Sarthak Sharma said the issue had gained national attention as students in different parts of the country expressed solidarity with the protesters.
Protest enters its third week
With the agitation continuing into its third week, the protesters have made clear that they do not intend to withdraw the movement at this stage. Their principal demands remain a CBI probe into the alleged examination irregularities and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
The planned August 15 ‘Tiranga Yatra’ is expected to become the next major event in the ongoing campaign as students and job aspirants continue pressing the government over recruitment examination transparency and accountability.
