Paper Leaks a National Issue, Govt Committed to Justice: Soren

Chief Minister Hemant Soren consented to meet a five-member delegation of protesters, who have insisted that the meeting be videographed.

As protests intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the State Assembly, sub-divisional magistrate Kumar Rajat and additional district magistrate Dhananjay Kumar reached the protest site and conveyed the government’s invitation for discussions at the Chief Minister’s residence.

“They (protesting aspirants) have sought some time. They have been given the same. They will then tell us. We will continue to be here...,” Rajat said.

The agitation, which began on July 25, centres on demands for cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission, and an inquiry into alleged irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state.

With the Monsoon Session commencing on Thursday, protesters have planned a ‘Tiranga March’ and a statewide gherao of the Assembly on August 10.

At least five more protesters joined an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where Devendra Nath Mahto has been on fast for four days.

Earlier in the day, activist Sonam Wangchuk spoke to Mahto through a video call and urged him to drink water. Following the request, Mahto ended his fast without water on the fourth day.

“Our doors always open to students protesting against recruitment exam paper leaks,” Soren said, adding that the issue was not limited to Jharkhand but a national concern.

Opposition and political reactions also followed. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi said, “The government should cancel the 14th JPSC exam, and the probe should be handed over to the CBI. The CID, which is investigating the case, has been engaged to cover up the issue.”

Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar earlier called for a probe by a sitting High Court judge and cancellation of recent examination results. Congress leaders, including AICC Jharkhand in-charge K. Raju, also met the Chief Minister over the issue.

Civil society support has emerged for the agitation. Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said his organisation would act as a “pressure group” and its members would travel to Jharkhand to support the protesters.

“The chief minister says the government is sensitive. It may be, but we want action and justice, not assurance,” a protester said.

Another protester said, “The CM is like our guardian. When children are hungry, a guardian also feels pain. So, we hope that he will listen to our grievances and demands.”

Jharkhand Police’s CID has arrested 14 persons so far in connection with the alleged irregularities. The JPSC has postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing “unavoidable circumstances”.

The CID has also questioned former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte multiple times and conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of the investigation.