Jharkhand Job Exam Protest Enters 21st Day, Students To Take Out Tiranga Yatra

The agitation by job aspirants in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 21st day on Friday, with protesters preparing to take out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on August 15 to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day.

The students, protesting under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, said the Independence Day march would give fresh momentum to their campaign for greater transparency in government recruitment examinations. They are demanding cancellation of several examinations and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.

The announcement comes days after a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 turned violent. Police registered an FIR against 300 unnamed people in connection with alleged violations of prohibitory orders, damage to government property and attacks on security personnel.

Fourteen policemen were injured during the confrontation, following which security forces used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters. Police are examining video footage to identify those allegedly involved in the violence. No arrests or detentions had been made so far.

Protest leader Ravindra Paswan urged the administration not to target genuine students, saying action should be limited to those actually involved in the violence.

The prolonged agitation has also raised concerns over the health of protesters. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on hunger strike for 13 days and was admitted to Sadar Hospital after his condition deteriorated following the Assembly march. Four other students observing hunger strikes are also undergoing treatment, according to protesters.

Meanwhile, the state CID has conducted raids at several locations while executing arrest warrants against seven accused in cases linked to alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations.

The agitation has drawn support from social organisations, writers and others, with several groups providing free food to protesters. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said his government is committed to recruitment reforms and has assured protesters that the 14th JPSC examination will be cancelled.

The political battle over the protest has intensified, with the BJP accusing the government of suppressing the movement, while the Congress has alleged that the BJP is politicising the agitation. Former chief minister Raghubar Das has threatened to launch a hunger strike if the demand for a CBI probe is not accepted within a week.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has also announced protests at more than 1,200 universities, questioning the credibility of the state-appointed SIT.