Hunger Strike Escalates in Ranchi Over Alleged Jharkhand Exam Malpractice
Six protesters have now committed to an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to demand systemic reforms within state recruitment bodies. The movement intensifies as Jharkhand prepares for its legislative Monsoon Session, pressuring the government to address paper leak allegations.
Key takeaways
- Six activists are on hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination.
- Protesters are calling for a CBI-led investigation or an independent judicial panel to oversee recruitment transparency.
- The Jharkhand CID has arrested 14 suspects and questioned the former JPSC chairman amid ongoing raids in five districts.
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated the government is seriously evaluating the situation but has not yet met specific demands.
Rising Tensions in Ranchi
The movement against alleged recruitment discrepancies in Jharkhand has reached a critical stage as five additional protesters, including two women, joined an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night. This brings the total number of individuals participating in the fast at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to six. Among them is Devendra Nath Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, who entered his fourth day of protest on Wednesday.
Led by the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, the demonstrators are calling for the immediate cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination. The group's spokesperson, Jivan Kumar, confirmed that a core committee will soon deliberate on organizing a 'Tiranga March' to further amplify student demands. Protester Sabita Kumari stated that the group felt forced into this extreme measure due to government inaction, while another participant, Habiba, urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to provide concrete justice rather than vague assurances of sensitivity.
Key Facts
- Six protesters are currently on an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
- Activists demand an investigation into exam irregularities led by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
- The Jharkhand Police CID has arrested 14 individuals and conducted raids across 18 locations, including Hazaribagh and Dhanbad.
- Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has faced four rounds of questioning by investigators since July 28.
- The JPSC previously postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination originally set for July 25 to 27.
The Government Response
Chief Minister Hemant Soren addressed the situation on August 4, stating that the administration is reviewing the concerns of job aspirants with high seriousness. He indicated that decisions regarding the protesters' queries would be announced at an appropriate time, expressing confidence that the state's actions would eventually reassure the students. However, the protesters maintain that for the past 10 days, their primary demands for structural reforms in both the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) have not been met.
What Happens Next
The protest momentum aligns with the start of the Assembly’s Monsoon Session, scheduled for Thursday, August 6. The CID continues its probe into the recruitment scandal, following recent raids in Ranchi, Palamu, and Bokaro. Meanwhile, student leaders are planning a 'Tiranga March' to maintain public pressure as they wait for the government to move beyond verbal commitments to legislative or administrative action.
Source: The Hindu — National
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