Jharkhand Job Aspirants Escalate Protest, Seek CM Soren's Resignation and CBI Probe
Thousands of students and job aspirants in Jharkhand marked the country's 80th Independence Day by taking out a 'Tiranga Yatra' in Ranchi, as their agitation against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations entered its 22nd day. The protesters have announced plans to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence on August 20, demanding his resignation and a thorough inquiry into the recruitment process.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, a platform of the protesting students, said it would burn effigies of the chief minister and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts of the state on Sunday. The protesters accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands, which include the cancellation of examinations in which irregularities were found and an independent probe.
Speaking at the protest site, Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said, "We will gherao the chief minister's residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him."
The protesters are demanding a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand into the alleged irregularities. They have specifically sought cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC examinations that they consider suspicious.
The Tiranga Yatra began at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the centre of the ongoing agitation, and culminated at Albert Ekka Chowk. Participants carried the national flag and raised slogans including 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. Notably, two wheelchair-borne protesters who have been on a fast also participated in the march.
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Mahto, who has been fasting for 14 days, alleged that police prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to join the march. Videos purportedly showing Mahto scuffling with security personnel while attempting to leave the hospital were widely shared on social media.
The students' platform maintains that their movement is not limited to individual examinations but concerns the credibility of the entire recruitment system and the future of thousands of young aspirants. "Independence doesn't just mean freedom from the British, but also freedom from inequality of opportunities, corruption and injustice," the Reforms Manch said, urging young people to raise their voices peacefully for their rights.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP MLA Champai Soren accused the Hemant Soren government of running a "despotic government" and questioned its reluctance to recommend a CBI probe into the allegations. Speaking to journalists in Jamshedpur, he said, "If you are not a part of a job-selling racket, what is the problem in recommending a CBI probe?" He also expressed concern that hundreds of students away from their homes were compelled to remain at the stadium even on Independence Day.
The state government has sought to reassure aspirants by announcing steps to address the concerns, though the details of these measures have not been fully disclosed. The protesters have vowed not to withdraw their agitation until their demands are met, and have appealed to students across Jharkhand to assemble in Ranchi for the proposed gherao.
