Students protesting alleged irregularities in government recruitment exams in Jharkhand are set to march towards the state Assembly on Monday after talks with the Hemant Soren government failed to reach a final agreement.
The protest has entered its 17th day, with six students continuing an indefinite hunger strike. The main disagreement is over the students’ demand for a CBI investigation into alleged exam irregularities and the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.
The state government has rejected these demands, although it says it has accepted most of the other demands raised by the protesters.
Students Plan Peaceful Assembly March
Student leader Sanjay Mehta said aspirants and supporters from different districts of Jharkhand would participate in the march from the old Assembly building to the new Assembly.
He said the protest would remain completely peaceful.
The students have been asked to stay united, avoid arguments with police, not block traffic and immediately report any attempt to create trouble.
Protesters have also been advised not to believe or spread rumours.
What Are the Students Demanding?
The protesters have raised several demands, including the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities, implementation of examination reforms suggested by students and following their proposed recruitment calendar.
Mehta said the movement would continue if the government failed to meet their key demands.
Hunger Strike Continues
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on a hunger strike for eight days. He has appealed to students and parents across Jharkhand to join Monday’s Assembly march.
Mahto said he had lost around 10 kg and was suffering from low blood sugar and severe pain.
He described Monday as an important and decisive day for the movement and asked protesters to gather at the Old Assembly Ground at 10.30 am.
He said the movement was aimed at ensuring fair recruitment and preventing paper leaks and other irregularities in government examinations.
Government Says Most Demands Accepted
The JMM-led Jharkhand government has said it has accepted most of the students’ demands and has urged protesters to end the agitation and continue discussions.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government had no intention of protecting anyone involved in examination irregularities.
The government said it had agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and proposed an Enforcement Directorate investigation into alleged financial irregularities related to the JPSC examination.
It has also announced plans for a fast-track court system, under which charge sheets in cases related to examination irregularities would be filed within 90 days.
Expert Panel Proposed for Exam Reforms
As part of its proposed reforms, the government has suggested forming an expert panel with representatives from IIT-ISM Dhanbad, IIM Ranchi and XLRI Jamshedpur.
A separate committee headed by a retired High Court judge has also been proposed to examine the JSSC-CGL issue.
The government has launched a portal to collect suggestions from students and said a standard operating procedure would be prepared to improve transparency in future recruitment examinations.
However, it has refused the demand for a CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL examination.
Students have also rejected the government’s claim that 98 per cent of their demands have been accepted. According to protesters, only three of the 13 examinations they wanted cancelled have been cancelled.
Three JPSC Members Resign
Amid the ongoing controversy, three members of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) resigned on Sunday.
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad.
The resignations came after the Jharkhand CID summoned them for questioning over allegations including paper leaks.
JPSC chairman L Khiangte had earlier resigned on July 22. Officials said 19 people have so far been arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.
The JPSC had also postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, which was scheduled to be held from July 25 to July 27.
Security Tightened Across Ranchi
Security has been increased across Ranchi ahead of Monday’s Assembly march. Barricades have been placed at major locations and additional police personnel have been deployed.
Prohibitory orders are in place within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha building from August 6 to August 12, between 6 am and 10 pm.
Police have appealed to students to keep the protest peaceful and prevent anti-social elements from joining the march.
Most schools are also expected to remain closed on Monday because of the planned agitation.
Meanwhile, protesters have alleged that hundreds of students travelling from different parts of Jharkhand to Ranchi are being stopped by police.
Despite appeals from Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar for further talks, the students have said their Assembly march will go ahead as planned.
