Jharkhand Protest – Congress Backs Students Seeking Recruitment Exam Reforms
Jharkhand Protest –The Congress has reaffirmed its support for students protesting alleged recruitment examination irregularities in Jharkhand, stating that ensuring justice for aspirants remains a top priority. The party, which is part of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition government, has welcomed the state government’s move to initiate dialogue with the demonstrators.
Congress Expresses Solidarity With Students
On Thursday, Congress leaders from Jharkhand, led by the party’s state in-charge K. Raju, met Chief Minister Hemant Soren and submitted a memorandum highlighting the concerns raised by protesting students. After the meeting, Raju said the party appreciated the chief minister’s decision to establish a ministerial committee that will engage with student representatives and suggest practical measures to address their grievances.
According to Raju, the Congress remains firmly committed to standing with students demanding fairness in recruitment examinations. He also noted that leaders of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), along with senior national office-bearers of both organisations, joined the protest to demonstrate their support for the movement.
Protest Over Recruitment Exam Irregularities Intensifies
The student agitation, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has grown into one of the state’s most significant student-led movements in recent years. Demonstrators have been raising concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination and seeking an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. They have called for either a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry or a probe by a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand. In addition, they have urged the government to introduce comprehensive reforms in both recruitment agencies to improve transparency and accountability.
Hunger Strike Expands Ahead of Assembly Session
As the state assembly’s Monsoon Session commenced on Thursday, the protest escalated further with five more demonstrators, including two women, joining an indefinite hunger strike. They joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who had already been observing a fast for several days.
Concerns grew over Mahto’s health after reports indicated that his blood pressure and blood sugar levels had dropped significantly. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had earlier undertaken a prolonged hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke with Mahto over the phone and appealed to him to at least consume water while continuing the protest.
Following the conversation, Mahto agreed to drink water but maintained that his indefinite agitation would continue until meaningful action was taken.
Government Opens Dialogue With Demonstrators
The protesting students said they adopted the hunger strike after repeated appeals to the government did not result in concrete decisions. As the demonstrations gathered momentum, the state administration initiated talks in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully.
Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer Kumar Rajat and Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar visited the protest venue and invited a five-member delegation of students for discussions at the chief minister’s residence.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren also addressed the issue through a statement, saying that the concerns raised by students were being treated with utmost seriousness. He stated that investigating agencies were working continuously to identify those responsible for the alleged irregularities and that legal action was being taken wherever necessary.
Soren added that the government’s objective extended beyond conducting investigations and included finding a lasting solution to improve the recruitment system. He assured students that their suggestions and demands would be carefully considered before announcing appropriate decisions.
Meanwhile, the Congress has reiterated that it will continue supporting students seeking transparent recruitment processes while backing the government’s efforts to resolve the issue through consultation.