Jharkhand exam stir: Fresh talks on Aug 17 as protesters firm on CBI probe
Job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations are scheduled to hold fresh talks with the state government on Monday (August 17), as the stir entered its 24th day. Six protesters remain on hunger strike, according to the organisers.
A day earlier, the demonstrators burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The protesters accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands.
The government invited the protesters for the seventh round of dialogue at 2 p.m. on Monday. Previous rounds failed to yield a breakthrough. The decision followed a meeting between the protesters and the sub-divisional officer and additional district magistrate (Law and Order) at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
Ravindra Paswan, leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, said his group would attend the talks. "We will definitely go for the talks as we want to resolve the issue through dialogue. We are firm on two of our demands — a CBI probe into irregularities in recruitment exams and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exams," he told reporters.
The protesters are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the irregularities and cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination. They have also announced a plan to surround (gherao) the Chief Minister's residence on August 20.
On Sunday night, the protesters took out a torchlight procession from the stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, where they burnt effigies. Similar protests were reported in several districts. The students expressed disappointment over the government's handling of the issue and alleged that the ruling alliance was "playing politics" over matters affecting the future of job aspirants.
Mr Paswan said the protesters are seeking the Chief Minister's resignation and have called on the Congress to withdraw its support from the JMM-led government if Mr Soren fails to act. "We seek the CM's resignation, as both the JMM and the Congress have been playing politics with us," he alleged.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi urged Mr Soren to accept the students' demands and backed their call for a CBI investigation. "The students have been demanding a CBI probe into the irregularities, and I think the government should order it. Why does the government fear this?" he asked. He said continued inaction could force more youth to take to the streets. On the proposed gherao, he said the BJP would extend moral support to the students, who have been protesting peacefully for more than three weeks.
The Congress said its state unit would discuss the issue at a meeting on August 18. State Congress media in-charge Rakesh Sinha said, "Any attempt to harm the future of Jharkhand's youth will not be tolerated." He added that the party would raise the students' concerns and push for transparency, impartiality and a time-bound recruitment process. The protesters have also criticised Rahul Gandhi for not following up on his expressed support with concrete action.
The Jharkhand government has announced measures aimed at making recruitment more transparent and secure. These include a time-bound annual examination calendar, technology-secured exams, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability in the recruitment process. The government has also launched a campaign to seek suggestions from students, teachers, educationists and parents.
The protests underscore growing public concern over the integrity of government recruitment in the state. With the planned gherao on August 20, the upcoming talks are seen as a crucial step to defuse the situation.
