Jharkhand job exam row: students expand stir, CM offers talks
Students and job aspirants intensified their protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand with five demonstrators joining an indefinite hunger strike, even as Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the question paper leak issues are a national problem and offered talks to resolve the impasse.
The protest, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium here, emerged as one of the biggest student-led movements in the state in recent years.
The demonstrators are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment test either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand.
They also stressed comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Ahead of the monsoon session of the State Assembly, set to begin on Thursday, five protesters, including two women, joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past four days.
Mahto’s health became a matter of concern after his blood sugar and blood pressure levels dropped significantly.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently observed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke to Mahto over the phone and urged him to at least drink water to safeguard his health. Following Wangchuk’s appeal, Mahto agreed to end his complete fast by drinking water while continuing his indefinite protest.
The protesters said they had been forced to adopt the extreme form of agitation after repeated appeals to the Government failed to produce any concrete action.
“Our five friends, including two women, have joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and press for our demands,” said JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar. One of the fasting protesters, Sabita Kumari, said the Government had ignored students’ concerns, leaving them with no alternative but to intensify their agitation.
Another agitator, Habiba, made an emotional appeal to the CM, saying, “The chief minister is like our guardian. When children remain hungry, a guardian also feels pain. We hope he will listen to our grievances. We want action and justice, not just assurances.”
The protesters also organised a Tiranga Yatra at the protest site to highlight their demands and draw public attention to the alleged recruitment irregularities.
As the agitation gained momentum, the State administration initiated efforts to break the deadlock through dialogue.
Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer Kumar Rajat and Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar visited the protest site and invited a five-member delegation of students for discussions at the Chief Minister’s residence.
“The students have sought some time to deliberate on the proposal,” the SDO said.
Responding to the growing protests, Soren acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, describing recruitment paper leaks as “not merely a Jharkhand issue but a major national problem affecting the youth across the country.”
In a post on X, Soren said the concerns raised by students were being treated with utmost seriousness by his Government.
He asserted that probe agencies were working round the clock and those responsible for the alleged irregularities were being sent to jail.
“Our objective is not just to investigate but to provide a permanent solution to students’ concerns,” the chief minister said, adding that the doors of the state Government remained open for the students to present their demands and suggestions.
He assured that every point would be examined carefully and a concrete solution would be announced soon.
Earlier in the day, Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and briefed him on the ongoing protests as well as the progress of the investigation.
According to a Raj Bhavan statement, the Governor described the alleged recruitment irregularities as a matter of grave concern and stressed that the commissions that conduct competitive exams must function with complete transparency and credibility to maintain public confidence, particularly among the youth.
The CM assured the governor that no injustice would be allowed against students.
The issue also triggered political reactions across party lines.
A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited the protest site and reiterated the party’s demand for cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities. Marandi alleged that the ongoing CID probe was intended to cover up the issue instead of exposing those responsible.
The Congress, which is an ally in the Hemant Soren-led Government, also extended support to the agitating students.
Jharkhand Congress in-charge K Raju visited the protest site and said he would raise the issue with the CM.
Earlier, senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar had demanded an inquiry headed by a sitting high court judge, dismissal of all JPSC officials and cancellation of the results of recently conducted examinations.
The CID investigation into the alleged recruitment scam has intensified. So far, 14 people have been arrested, while former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28, an official said.
The agency has also conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of its investigation.
Amid mounting pressure, the JPSC had earlier postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, originally scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing “unavoidable circumstances.”
