Ranchi: The Jharkhand students' protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 20th day on Thursday, with the agitators refusing to call off the stir until their demands were met.
The ‘JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch’ has been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several tests and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday threatened to proceed on a hunger strike if the demand for a CBI probe was not fulfilled in a week, while the ABVP has announced protests at more than 1,200 universities over the issue.
Das also sought as compensation ₹1 crore each for the families of 19 people who died during the 2024 excise constable physical examination.
ABVP leaders have questioned the credibility of the state-appointed SIT into the alleged irregularities, citing repeated changes in its composition.
The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand of suppressing the movement, while the Congress hit back saying the BJP is politicising the students’ agitation and claimed it brought workers from outside the state to disrupt the protests.
Tensions rose after a confrontation between protesters and the police during their march towards the assembly on Monday, with security personnel using batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the agitators.
The BJP subsequently observed a statewide bandh over the police action.
Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike and is undergoing treatment at a hospital after his health deteriorated, sought permission from the Ranchi civil surgeon to return to the protest site, saying his ‘soul’ remained with the students’ movement.
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Four students on hunger strike were also receiving treatment at hospital.
Earlier, six rounds of talks between the government and student representatives failed to end the deadlock.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that his government is committed to recruitment exam reforms and assured protesters the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled, while accusing the BJP of using the agitation for political gains.
Protesters accuse govt of withholding health info of Devendra Mahto
The agitating students, on Thursday accused the Ranchi district administration of deliberately withholding the health details of Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days over the issue.
Mahto is undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital here, and he had written to the Ranchi civil surgeon on Wednesday night, seeking permission to return to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
“Why are the health details of JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto being kept under wraps after 12 days on fast, and why are we not allowed to meet him at Sadar Hospital?” one of the protesting students said.
‘JPSC-JSSC Abhyarthi Nyay Manch’ president Ramavtar Mahto accused the administration of deliberately cutting off access to Mahto, and withholding his health updates to weaken the students’ stir.
The Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader had to be admitted to hospital on Monday, after his health deteriorated following his participation in a march to the Jharkhand assembly by the agitating students.
