Jharkhand Students Continue Protests Over Exam Irregularities

Ongoing Student Protests in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Aug 4: The student protests in Jharkhand regarding alleged corruption and irregularities in recruitment exams have now reached their 11th day. Protesters have threatened to encircle the State Assembly on August 6 if their demands are not addressed.

The situation escalated as student leader Devendra Nath Mahto entered the third day of his indefinite hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.

Despite heavy rain and challenging weather, students have remained steadfast at the protest site, receiving support from local residents and social organizations that are providing food and essential supplies.

The protests focus on the examinations held by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Demands include the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and a thorough investigation by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged irregularities in various recruitment tests, including those conducted by JPSC and JSSC-CGL.

Protesters are also calling for the release of OMR sheets, answer scripts from the main examination, and category-wise cut-off marks. They seek to blacklist examination agencies implicated in malpractice and to implement comprehensive reforms in the state's recruitment processes.

Student organizations argue that ongoing controversies surrounding recruitment exams have compromised the futures of deserving candidates and diminished public trust in the selection process.

This protest coincides with a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) inquiry into alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination. Recently, CID teams executed simultaneous raids in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Deoghar, Godda, Ramgarh, and Hazaribagh districts.

During these operations, investigators confiscated laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of candidates' OMR sheets, admit cards, and other significant materials for the investigation. Officials indicated that these items are undergoing forensic and technical analysis.

Previously, the CID had raided the JPSC office and detained several individuals associated with the examination process. Former JPSC chairman and ex-chief secretary L. Kiyangte has been questioned multiple times regarding the investigation.

In response to the growing pressure, the state government is planning to form a high-level committee to address the students' grievances, with an announcement expected soon. The government has reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness in recruitment processes and has promised strict action against any wrongdoers.

The situation has also ignited a political controversy, with Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi accusing the JPSC and JSSC recruitment systems of being corrupt. He has called for a CBI investigation, the removal of key officials from both commissions, and immediate action against those responsible.

This protest follows recent demonstrations by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and student groups regarding alleged NEET paper leaks and exam irregularities, which led to the resignation of former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.