Jharkhand protest: Agitators burn effigies of Rahul Gandhi, CM as stir enters day 23 | Highlights
Ranchi: Job aspirants and students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment exams burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav here on Sunday, accusing the JMM-Congress alliance of "failing to take concrete action" on their demands.
As the stir entered its 23rd day, the agitators took out a torchlight procession from the protest site of Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to the Albert Ekka chowk, where they burnt the effigies.
They accused the ruling alliance of playing politics over their issues and announced they would gherao the chief minister's residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
Film and TV actor Kunickaa Sadanand met with the protesters at the stadium and spoke to Sabita Kumari, one of the six agitators who have been on a hunger strike for over two weeks now. She said the protesters had legitimate demands.
Key Updates
-
Protesters burn effigies
The protesters torched the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, alleging lapses in addressing their demands.
#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand | Protest by JPSC-JSSC aspirants | Visuals from Ranchi where the students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations are seen carrying the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and… pic.twitter.com/G8G9Ip4Gf7
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2026 -
-
BJP MLA Naveen Jaiswal joins the protest
BJP MLA Naveen Jaiswal, who joined the protest, said the agitation by students had been peaceful.
"It is unfortunate for Jharkhand. Students and the youth of Jharkhand have been protesting in a very restrained manner for the past 22 days. Just as the face of 'Gen-Z' emerged during the protests at Jantar Mantar, students in Jharkhand have showcased another facet of that same generation--demonstrating that one can convey a message to the government peacefully," Jaiswal said.
He added that it was "deeply saddening" that the students were now compelled to escalate their protest. - ANI -
Jharkhand LoP Babulal Marandi urges govt to hear students
Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday urged the state government to hold talks with protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants and address their demands.
Marandis said, "The government should not remain adamant on its stance. It should pay attention to the students' demands. The government should hold talks with the students without any delay." - ANI
-
Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra comments
Talking to the reporters, Delhi Minister of Labour, Kapil Mishra commented on the agitation, saying the developments in Jharkhand were being closely watched.
Mishra said, "The entire nation is watching the events unfolding in Jharkhand, but the country is also taking note of the silence maintained by certain people regarding this matter." - ANI
-
-
"Not just Hemant Soren's govt, but Rahul Gandhi is also responsible": BJP MP Shahnawaz Hussain
BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Sunday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for being silent on the irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, saying that "it is not just Hemant Soren's government" and that "he is also responsible", as the protest entered 23rd day.
Speaking about the ongoing agitation over irregularities, Hussain said, "Injustice is being done to the students in Jharkhand and Rahul Gandhi is silent." - ANI
-
"Don't think I will survive much longer," Prem Nayak on hunger strike
Speaking to reporters from the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, student protester Prem Nayak, who is on the 13th day of a hunger strike, said, "Today marks the 23rd day of the protest and the 13th day of the hunger strike. The government is not serious at all. I don't think I will survive much longer; the situation is critical. The fever started yesterday. They tried to take me away for treatment, but I refused. They took Devendra Nath Mahato away and are not allowing him to return. Their intention is to break the movement."
Nayak added that discussions regarding laying siege to the Chief Minister's residence are ongoing. - ANI -
Protesters urge Rahul Gandhi to end coalition with JMM
The student protesters argue that Rahul Gandhi led Congress party should dissolve their coalition with Jharkhand ruling party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) if the current CM Hemant Soren is not aligning with their political views. The demand came after Rahul Gandhi publicly condemned the police charge on the student-led protest.
-
-
Devendra Mahto gives statement on Independance Day
The JLKM student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike, addressed from the hospital alleging that he is stopped from leaving the premises for being with the protesters and also stated that the 'Tiranga Yatra' students were beaten by the police. He questioned whether there was any real freedom if people did not even have the independence to protest on Independence Day, asking what freedom they could claim in such circumstances.
आज स्वतंत्रता दिवस पर अस्पताल में इलाजरत होने के बावजूद मुझे धक्का-मुक्की कर रोका गया और मेरे साथियों के साथ भी मारपीट की गई। मुझे झंडोत्तोलन, तिरंगा यात्रा में शामिल होने और अपनी इच्छा के अनुसार इलाज कराने तक की आज़ादी नहीं दी गई।
— Devendra Nath Mahto (@DevendraNathMa9) August 15, 2026
आज सवाल है—क्या यही वह आज़ादी है, जिसके लिए भगत… pic.twitter.com/048scQ1VQD -
Effigies to be burnt
According to student leaders, the protetsters are expected to burn effigies of CM Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging that the leaders are not probing their demands.
-
Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwa speaks out
He expressed concern over alleged examination malpractice, saying question-paper leaks undermine the morale and prospects of students who seek success through hard work and talent. - PTI
-
Sidharth Babu: The viral face who stood alongside Modi, Xi and Putin in BRICS
His first international posting was in China’s Beijing, where he was posted as the Third Secretary and later as Second Secretary during 2018 and 2022.
Delhi HC asks Union to consider regulating infinite scroll, autoplay and notifications
Delhi High Court seeks Union's response on regulating social media features such as infinite scroll, autoplay and personalised feeds.
Reporter TV MD Anto Augustine condemns police action against channel, alleges assault on press freedom
Anto Augustine demanded an apology from the Kerala Police and the state government and said Reporter TV would pursue legal remedies.