Jharkhand Student Protest Talks End in Deadlock, Stir and Hunger Strike to Continue

The standoff between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations continued on Friday as talks failed to break the deadlock, with the agitation entering its 14th day. The protesters said they would continue their agitation and hunger strike until their demands are met, including cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination. They also warned that they would proceed with their planned march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if the government failed to take concrete action by Sunday.

A 10-member delegation of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch held discussions with a government panel headed by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar. The meeting followed a revision of the students' delegation after the government objected to the inclusion of an advocate in the earlier panel. Both sides described the discussions as positive, but the protesters maintained that assurances alone would not be enough to call off the agitation.

The students are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, an independent probe into alleged irregularities by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Kumar said the government was sensitive to the students' concerns and would consider their demands sympathetically. Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the demands had been conveyed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who has also expressed willingness to engage with the protesters.

Meanwhile, concerns over the health of hunger strikers increased after student leader Rahul Kranti was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital following a deterioration in his condition. Kranti, who had been fasting since Tuesday night, is among six people observing an indefinite hunger strike. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited him and urged the protesters not to risk their lives. Health Minister Irfan Ansari said Kranti was receiving proper medical care under specialist supervision.

Another group led by JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for six days, has also been invited for talks on Saturday. The issue also reached the Jharkhand Assembly, where BJP legislators demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged irregularities and disrupted proceedings.

With no breakthrough in talks, the protesters remain firm on their demands. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly from August 6 to 12, ahead of the proposed march. So far, 19 people have been arrested in connection with alleged JPSC exam irregularities, while former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.