Students across Jharkhand are set to march on the State Assembly in Ranchi today following the collapse of negotiations with the Hemant Soren government over alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations. The protest, now in its 17th day, escalated after three rounds of talks failed to resolve key demands from the student body.
The central demands of the protesting students include the immediate cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level examination and a full investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged malpractices. The government, however, has rejected the call for a CBI probe, asserting that the JSSC-CGL examination was conducted under the supervision of both the High Court and Supreme Court.
Student leader Sanjay Mehta confirmed that despite multiple discussions, a complete resolution of their demands was not achieved. Students dispute the government's claim of having accepted 98 percent of their demands, highlighting that only three out of thirteen examinations they sought to be scrapped were agreed upon for cancellation.
In addition to seeking exam cancellations and a CBI inquiry, students have also put forth demands for the adoption of their proposed examination reform model and strict adherence to a suggested recruitment calendar. The gravity of the protest is further underscored by the fact that six students have commenced an indefinite hunger strike.
The government has offered several concessions, including the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination and a proposal for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged financial irregularities within the JPSC. Furthermore, it has announced a fast-track court mechanism, the formation of expert and judicial panels to review the JSSC-CGL issue, and the establishment of a portal for students to submit suggestions on examination reforms.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar urged students to call off the agitation and continue negotiations, while Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured that those responsible for irregularities would face stringent action. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar has also appealed for dialogue to resolve the impasse.
Ranchi is under heightened security today in anticipation of the march. Prohibitory orders, restricting gatherings, are in effect within a 750-meter radius of the Vidhan Sabha from August 6 to 12, between 6 AM and 10 PM. Police have deployed additional personnel and erected barricades, urging all protesters to maintain peace.
This significant student protest coincides with the recent resignations of three JPSC members on Sunday. Their resignations followed summons from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with allegations, including those related to paper leaks.