Jharkhand Government Engages in Talks Amid Ongoing Protests Over Exam Paper Leak

Ongoing Protests in Jharkhand

Ranchi, August 8 – Amidst ongoing protests regarding the alleged leak of examination papers, the Jharkhand government held discussions with representatives from various organizations on Saturday, but no resolution was reached. The protesting candidates have decided to continue their movement until all their demands are met. A five-member committee formed by the government, which included three ministers, first met with the protest group led by Devendra Nath Mahto from the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front (JLRF).

Seventh Day of Hunger Strike

Saturday marked the seventh day of Mahto's hunger strike. Following this, the committee also engaged in talks with delegations from the Congress-backed NSUI, ACS, and JCM. Earlier, on Friday night, the government had similar discussions with a ten-member delegation from the JPSC/JSSC Reform Forum.

Government Committee's Response

Sanjay Prasad Yadav, a member of the committee and state minister, stated after the meetings, "The demands of the protesting candidates are valid. We will present these demands to Chief Minister Hemant Soren." The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's student wing, the Jharkhand Student Front (JSF), has put forth five demands, including the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) civil service examination. The NSUI has also presented six demands to the government.

Demands for Investigation and Reform

Spokesperson Sanjeev Shah mentioned that among the demands is a CID investigation into all JPSC and JSSC examinations within 90 days and the establishment of a Jharkhand Examination Agency (JTA) modeled after the National Testing Agency (NTA). The committee's first meeting with the JPSC-JSSC candidates' platform lasted nearly two hours. A leader from the platform stated after the meeting, "The government has assured us of a prompt decision regarding the issues we raised."

Continued Protests Until Demands Are Met

However, the protest will persist until all our demands, including the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, are fulfilled," they added. State Minister Deepika Pandey Singh remarked that the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere and that the discrepancies in the recruitment process highlighted by students would be addressed soon. Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar noted that the government has issued an email ID for candidates to submit suggestions for improving the recruitment process. The protests against the paper leak have now entered their 15th day.

Urgent Demands from Protest Leaders

Devendra Nath Mahto stated, "We demand the immediate cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC civil service examination and all exams conducted by that agency." He emphasized that students have been peacefully protesting for the past two weeks, urging the state government to promptly address their demands. Mahto expressed concern about the government's delay, stating, "It will be interesting to see what steps the government takes regarding these demands."

Health Concerns Amid Protests

He also mentioned his deteriorating health, saying, "My condition is worsening day by day. My blood pressure and sugar levels are dropping. The doctor has informed me of an infection in my chest and advised hospitalization." He warned that if this situation continues, it could become dangerous for him, adding, "I can now only hear, think, and speak slowly."

Call for Independent Investigation

The protesting candidates are demanding an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities, insisting that it should either be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a committee of retired judges from outside the state.