Jharkhand govt ready to cancel JPSC exam (Img: X)
Ranchi: The student protest movement in Jharkhand intensified on Tuesday as over 100 workers of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) were detained during a march towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in Ranchi. The demonstration was organised against the alleged police action on students protesting irregularities in government recruitment examinations.
The ABVP workers started their march from the old Vidhan Sabha area, raising concerns over alleged police excesses during previous student protests and demanding strict action against those responsible. According to police officials, around 110 protesters were detained as security forces attempted to control the situation near the Assembly route.
The situation turned tense after clashes broke out between ABVP members and police personnel. Officials said protesters tried to prevent buses carrying detained activists from leaving the area, resulting in a confrontation between the two sides. Several women protesters were also detained during the security operation.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die, a day before its scheduled conclusion, following disruption over the police action against protesting students. Opposition members raised objections inside the House and demanded accountability over the handling of the agitation.
The student movement has created a major political challenge for the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government. While the government has claimed that nearly 98 per cent of the demands raised by protesters have been addressed, student groups have disputed the claim, stating that only three out of 13 examination-related demands have been accepted.
The agitators demand wider reforms in JPSC and JSSC recruitment procedures, alleging that repeated examination controversies have affected the future of thousands of government job aspirants in the state.
The latest protest comes amid a 17-day-long agitation by job aspirants across Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted for government recruitment. Students have been demanding cancellation of disputed examinations, reforms in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) systems, and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities.
Earlier on Monday, thousands of protesting students had marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly, breaking through multiple police barricades during their attempt to reach the state legislature. Security forces deployed water cannons near the Jagannath Temple after protesters reached the final barricading point.
The protesters carried the national flag and placards while demanding transparency in the recruitment process. Their key demands include cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged examination manipulation, and structural reforms in the state’s recruitment mechanism.
The Ranchi administration deployed more than 1,500 security personnel along the four-kilometre protest route to prevent any untoward incident. Heavy security arrangements were made around the Assembly complex after concerns of possible clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies.
The state government recently agreed to cancel three examinations, including the preliminary examination of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination. It also accepted the demand for an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to the examination process.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Jharkhand has also arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission chairman L Khiangte in connection with the alleged irregularities. The investigation is examining possible administrative lapses and financial violations related to the recruitment process.
The political battle over the protests has intensified, with the BJP announcing a statewide bandh after accusing the Jharkhand government of using excessive force against students. The party alleged that police action, including lathi-charge and other measures, reflected a failure to address genuine concerns of job aspirants.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reacted to the controversy and criticised the use of force against students, urging the Jharkhand government to resolve the matter through dialogue. His remarks triggered a political exchange, with BJP leaders questioning the Congress response to student protests in states governed by opposition allies.
BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Sakshi Maharaj criticised Rahul Gandhi over his comments and alleged that opposition parties maintain different positions on student protests depending on the state government involved.
AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal also supported the demands of protesting students and appealed to the Jharkhand government to immediately address their concerns. He said issues related to students should be resolved through discussion rather than confrontation.
Inside the Jharkhand Assembly, AJSU MLA Nirmal Mahto raised allegations regarding police action against students and claimed that protesters were removed from Ranchi under strict security measures. The allegations added further pressure on the state administration.
The controversy also attracted reactions from CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, who criticised the use of tear gas and lathi-charge against student protesters. He questioned why similar force is not used during political demonstrations and said governments should avoid actions that could create anger among young aspirants.
The Jharkhand student protest has now evolved into a larger debate over recruitment transparency, examination reforms, administrative accountability and the constitutional right to peaceful protest. With political parties entering the dispute and investigations underway, the coming days remain crucial for thousands of government job aspirants awaiting clarity on the future of recruitment examinations.
