Ranchi: The ongoing protest by students over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s government recruitment exams has taken a new turn, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asking Chief Minister Hemant Soren to meet the protesting students and listen to their concerns.
The protest in Ranchi has now entered its 24th day, with students refusing to back down despite several rounds of talks with the state government. The biggest points of disagreement remain the demand for cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
In a letter dated August 14, Gandhi expressed support for the protesting students and urged Soren to engage with them directly. His intervention comes at a time when pressure is growing on the Jharkhand government to find a solution to the standoff.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been leading the agitation, has also been on a hunger strike. The protest has been centred around Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students have been demanding changes in the recruitment system and action against those accused of irregularities.
The government, meanwhile, has already taken some steps to address the protesters concerns. Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services examination along with two backlog examinations. The government has also ordered an investigation into examinations conducted by testing agency TDPL and promised steps to make future recruitment exams more transparent.
But for the protesters, the issue is far from over.
Students say that while the government has agreed to most of their demands related to reforms, two major issues the JSSC-CGL exam and the CBI investigation are still unresolved. They argue that cancelling the exams they believe were affected by irregularities and conducting an independent investigation are necessary to restore confidence among job aspirants.
Tensions have also risen on the streets. Earlier this month, protesters attempting to move towards the Jharkhand Assembly faced police action after barricades were breached. Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
The protesters have now announced another major step. If their demands are not addressed, they plan to march towards the Chief Minister’s residence on August 20 and have also called for Soren’s resignation.
With another round of talks underway, all eyes are now on whether the government and students can reach common ground or whether the long running protest will become even bigger.
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