Ranchi: The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified on Saturday, with protesting students announcing plans to surround Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi on August 20. They also demanded that Soren step down, accusing the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress alliance of using their concerns for political purposes instead of resolving them.
The protesters said effigies of Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi would be burnt in all 24 districts on Sunday. They further urged Gandhi to withdraw Congress support from the JMM-led government if the chief minister was not acting on the students’ concerns.
The announcement came during a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ organised in Ranchi on the occasion of the country’s 80th Independence Day. The march was part of the protest led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which entered its 22nd day, as reported by The New Indian Express.
Demands For Independent Probe
Thousands of students and government-job aspirants joined the march from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the protest is continuing, to Albert Ekka Chowk. Two wheelchair-bound protesters who were on hunger strike also participated. Waving the national flag, the demonstrators raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.
“We will gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.
The students have demanded the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and some Jharkhand Public Service Commission tests in which they allege malpractice. They are also seeking either a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside the state.
The protesters said the movement covered the credibility of the entire recruitment system, rather than being limited to specific examinations. They appealed to students from across Jharkhand to reach Ranchi for the proposed August 20 action and said the agitation would continue until their demands were accepted.
Government Promises Reforms
The students also criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying that although he had voiced support for them, no “concrete action” had followed. They asked Congress to leave the state government if it was unwilling to act.
JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, who has been fasting for 14 days, alleged that police prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to join the march. Videos purportedly showing him confronting security personnel later circulated on social media.
Former chief minister Champai Soren accused the Hemant Soren government of running a “despotic government” and questioned its reluctance to recommend a CBI probe.
The state government has sought to reassure aspirants by promising impartial investigations and strict action against those found guilty. Hemant Soren said recruitment-related allegations had shaken an entire generation of job seekers and announced an annual examination calendar, technology-secured tests, timely release of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability.
The government has also launched the “Students’ Voice with Students” campaign to gather suggestions on examination reforms. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar said question-paper leaks undermine the future of meritorious students.
