Jharkhand exam cancellation: Mahto terms it 'historic win' as 3 protesters continue fast

Ranchi, August 18: The 25th day of the ongoing agitation against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations saw a mix of celebration and resolve on Tuesday, even as the State government announced the cancellation of all such tests conducted by outsourced agencies since 2014. Three of the six protesters continued their hunger strike, demanding a CBI probe and further guarantees of a leak-proof system.

The Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination, one of the key recruitment tests under scrutiny, stands cancelled, according to an announcement by Chief Minister Hemant Soren after a marathon Cabinet meeting at the State secretariat. The government also said it would set up an examination reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to recommend measures to strengthen the recruitment process.

Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Mahto, who ended his 16-day hunger strike around midnight on Monday, welcomed the decision as a “historic win” for the students’ movement. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said, “A CBI or CID inquiry cannot give justice to the students. We are demanding a guarantee of a leak-proof examination system and transparency in the future. I have a blueprint to achieve this, which I will share with the government.”

Mr. Mahto made it clear that ending the fast was not the end of the protest. “I have ended my hunger strike, not the protest. The agitation will continue till the government gives a guarantee that no paper leak or irregularities will take place in recruitment examinations. We will soon launch the second phase of our protest, demanding corruption-free recruitment in JPSC and JSSC examinations,” he said.

The second phase of the stir will be organised under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Abhiyarthi Reform Manch, headed by Mr. Mahto.

While the cancellation announcement brought cheers, with students celebrating and waving the Tricolour, the agitation did not conclude. Rahul Kranti, one of the three protesters still on hunger strike and undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital, said the protest would continue unless the government accepted the demand for a CBI inquiry. The other two continuing the fast are Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal.

Student leader Piyush Kumar outlined the lingering uncertainties. “We want to see whether the JSSC notification has actually been withdrawn. We also want to understand the government’s stance regarding the CDPO and FSO exams; that remains unclear. Thirdly, regarding the age cut-off—we had demanded the 2018 cut-off, but the government’s position on this is not clear. What is the government’s stance on a CBI inquiry? We have some doubts. So, the agitation will continue until a consensus is reached on all these matters,” he said.

The government’s decision came against the backdrop of allegations that the JSSC-CGL examination, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014, was riddled with paper leaks and other irregularities. The Cabinet’s move to cancel all recruitment tests is seen as an attempt to address the widespread protests that have drawn support from various quarters.

Activist Sonam Wangchuk congratulated Mr. Mahto over a video call, describing the government's decision as a “victory for everyone”. However, the protesters insist that only concrete guarantees and a transparent framework will bring a definitive end to the movement.