English
English
English
Jharkhand Student Protest (Img: X)
Ranchi: A major confrontation broke out between student protesters and security forces in this state capital on Monday as thousands of government job aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The Vidhan Sabha gherao march turned violent after students tried to move beyond the security barricades placed near the Assembly. Police resorted to water cannons, tear gas shells and lathi charge to control the crowd.
The agitation has once again brought the long-running JPSC-JSSC recruitment controversy into focus, with students demanding a fair investigation, cancellation of disputed examinations and reforms to make government recruitment more transparent.
Amid the growing protest, the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) arrested former JPSC Chairperson L Khiangte in connection with alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Khiangte was taken into custody from his Ranchi residence and is expected to be presented before a court as part of the ongoing investigation. His arrest came on a day when thousands of students reached the capital seeking accountability in the recruitment process.
Khiangte had stepped down as JPSC chairperson on July 22. The CID is investigating allegations related to examination procedures, recruitment management, possible administrative failures and violations of prescribed guidelines. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to examine alleged financial irregularities linked to the examination controversy.
The protest saw students arriving from different parts of Jharkhand by trains, buses and private vehicles. Many aspirants gathered with placards and national flags, raising concerns over the future of government recruitment in the state.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been leading the movement and observing a hunger strike, joined the march despite health concerns. He reached the protest location in an ambulance and participated in the demonstration. Several other protesters continued their hunger strike, demanding an independent inquiry and action against those responsible for alleged irregularities.
The anger among students stems from allegations of irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. Aspirants have raised concerns over alleged paper leaks, issues related to OMR sheets, questions over the evaluation process and lack of transparency in recruitment procedures.
The protesters are seeking cancellation of several examinations conducted after 2019, including the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, along with other recruitment tests. Their demands also include a CBI probe into the allegations, strict action against guilty officials or individuals, publication of category-wise cut-off marks, access to answer sheets and response sheets, and a structured recruitment calendar for government vacancies. The movement has largely focused on three issues, which inlude cancellation of disputed exams, an independent investigation and long-term reforms in the recruitment system.
The protest continued after multiple rounds of discussions between student representatives and the Jharkhand government failed to break the deadlock. The Hemant Soren-led government said that most of the demands raised by students had been accepted and appealed to them to end the agitation.
However, student groups disagreed with the government’s position, arguing that their main demand for an independent CBI investigation had not been accepted. They said only some examinations were considered for cancellation, while broader reforms and accountability issues remained unresolved. The state government has maintained that anyone found responsible for irregularities will face strict action according to law.
Ahead of the march, the Ranchi administration made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. More than 1,500 security personnel were deployed along the protest route, with barricades, checkpoints and razor fencing placed near sensitive areas.
Restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) were imposed around the Assembly area. Police teams were also positioned at district borders, highways and major roads to monitor the movement of protesters. Several schools in Ranchi remained closed as a precautionary measure due to security concerns and expected traffic disruptions.
The police action during the protest triggered anger among several students, with some alleging excessive force. Police officials, however, maintained that the measures were necessary to prevent a law-and-order situation near the Assembly. The issue has also turned into a political flashpoint. BJP leaders held a protest outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence, accusing the government of failing to address the concerns of job aspirants. The state government has said that corrective steps are being taken to improve the recruitment system and ensure accountability.
The JPSC-JSSC controversy has now become more than just an examination dispute. For thousands of young aspirants preparing for government jobs, the issue represents concerns over transparency, fairness and trust in the recruitment system. The ongoing CID investigation, ED probe and discussions between students and the government will decide the next course of action. The outcome of this controversy could play an important role in shaping the future of Jharkhand’s government recruitment process and restoring confidence among job seekers.
