Jharkhand Job Aspirants Refuse to End Stir

NEW DELHI, RANCHI: Job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations refused to call off their agitation despite assurances from the Hemant Soren government, as the protest entered its 19th day on Wednesday.

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which is spearheading the agitation, said the protest would continue until all its demands were met. The students are seeking greater transparency in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), cancellation of several examinations and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that his government is committed to reforming the examination system and has assured protesters that the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled. However, the assurances have failed to persuade the students to end their agitation.

Six demonstrators are on an indefinite hunger strike, with four admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital. Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been fasting for 11 days, continues his hunger strike and is reported to be in stable condition. He was admitted to hospital after his health deteriorated following Monday's march to the state Assembly.

Another student organisation, Jharkhand Chhatra Nyay, extended support to the agitation and announced a day-long hunger strike and a black armband protest against the police lathi-charge during the Assembly march.

Meanwhile, the continuing agitation triggered a political slugfest between the BJP and Congress.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi accused the Ranchi district administration of trying to force students out of the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium by shutting down electricity and intimidating protesters.

“If any attempt is made to suppress the voices at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, its spark will reach every village in Jharkhand,” Marandi said, cautioning the government against “challenging student power”.

Ranchi deputy commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri and senior superintendent of police Rakesh Ranjan rejected allegations of intimidation, saying they had visited the protest site to enquire about the students' well-being.

The Congress, an alliance partner in the Soren government, accused the BJP of politicising the agitation and bringing people from outside Jharkhand to disrupt the students' protest.

Congress ministers Radha Krishna Kishore, Shilpy Neha Tirkey, Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari also defended the government's handling of the recruitment controversy and accused the BJP of opposing the ongoing CID investigation.

The CID probe, meanwhile, has brought out allegations of a cash-for-marks racket in JPSC examinations.

Abhay Kumar Tiwari, a Jharkhand government employee and a key accused, reportedly told investigators that money was collected from candidates to increase interview marks in the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations.

Tiwari is also alleged to have told investigators that around ₹5.8 crore was collected from 20 candidates seeking Forest Range Officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests posts. Investigators are examining whether financial transactions were used to manipulate recruitment results and interview scores.