Tensions have escalated in Ranchi as thousands of Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission aspirants launched a massive demonstration, marching toward the Jharkhand State Assembly for a scheduled ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’. The protest marks the 17th day of continuous agitation by students against alleged irregularities, paper leaks and systemic corruption in state recruitment examinations. Student leaders, including Ravindra Paswan, emphasised that the march is being conducted in a constitutional and peaceful manner. Around 300 to 400 student volunteers have been deployed alongside the marchers to ensure discipline and prevent any anti-social elements from instigating violence.
In response to the massive gathering, the Ranchi district administration and Jharkhand Police have placed the capital city on high alert. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have been enforced around the Assembly premises. Police forces have set up multi-layered barricades and razor-wire fencing near key transit points, including the Jagannathpur route. Additional Director General of Police Manoj Kaushik confirmed that surveillance has been intensified and vehicle checks are being conducted across entry routes into Ranchi, though student groups alleged that authorities are actively attempting to stop incoming protesters from outer districts.
Parallel to the student march, senior leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party including Jharkhand BJP State President Aditya Sahu, former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi, MoS Defence Sanjay Seth and Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal staged a sit-in demonstration outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. The opposition leaders expressed solidarity with the agitating aspirants and accused the state administration of ignoring youth grievances and adopting delaying tactics. The BJP demanded an immediate Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the alleged scams surrounding the JSSC Combined Graduate Level and JPSC exams. In an attempt to diffuse the escalating crisis, the Jharkhand state government convened multiple rounds of negotiations with student delegates from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. Following these talks, the state government announced the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination as well as backlog recruitment exams from 2023 and 2025. Furthermore, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar accepted the resignations of three JPSC members that are Ajita Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed, following state recommendations. To address the administrative lapses, the state government proposed a multi-pronged action plan involving probes by the Crime Investigation Department, the Enforcement Directorate and a judicial inquiry led by a retired judge.
Addressing the situation during the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav, Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that his administration is fully committed to delivering transparent justice to the state’s youth. Soren cautioned protesting aspirants against getting misled by political parties seeking political leverage, maintaining that those responsible for exam irregularities will face severe punishment. Despite the state’s announcements and claims that 98% of student demands have been met, student groups have refused to call off the agitation. Agitating aspirants and hunger-striking leaders affirmed that they will not compromise until their central demand for a full-fledged CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL exam scam is formally granted.
Distipanna Bhuyan