Jharkhand CM promises action on recruitment exam row amid protests

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said his government would "soon take action" over the ongoing protests against alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations. He made the statement after meeting Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar at the Raj Bhavan.

"I met the Governor today and discussed the situation; it is being looked into, we will soon take action," Soren told reporters. The meeting came as hundreds of aspirants continued a round-the-clock sit-in demanding transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.

The agitation began after the results of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination were declared on July 5. Candidates have alleged irregularities in the evaluation and selection process. Since then, students have been holding demonstrations and an indefinite sit-in, calling for reforms in the state's recruitment agencies.

The protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in the examinations conducted by the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), and the public release of OMR sheets and answer scripts. A section of the protesters has warned of gheraoing the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if their demands are not addressed.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike, consumed water on Wednesday, the fourth day of his fast. He said he decided to drink water after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to him during a video call. However, Mahto reiterated that the hunger strike and the ongoing satyagraha would continue until the government accepts the students' demands.

The state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is probing the alleged examination irregularities, has conducted raids at multiple locations across Jharkhand. Officials have seized laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of OMR sheets, and other material, which are being examined as part of the investigation.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has also stepped up pressure on the state government. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and other party leaders have demanded a CBI probe, strict action against those responsible for any wrongdoing, and immediate acceptance of the students' demands.

The ongoing protests highlight recurring concerns about the credibility of recruitment examinations in Jharkhand. Over the years, candidates have raised questions about the functioning of the JPSC and the JSSC, including issues related to question papers, evaluation and transparency. The current agitation has brought these concerns to the forefront, with aspirants pressing for systemic reforms rather than one-time fixes.

While the Soren government has promised action, it has not specified the nature or timeline of the measures. The CID investigation is in progress, and authorities have advised protesters to maintain peace. Additional police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incidents.

The situation underscores the delicate balance between the right to peaceful protest and the government's responsibility to ensure orderly conduct in public examinations. In a constitutional democracy, citizens are entitled to demand accountability from public institutions, and the state is expected to respond through transparent due process.