JPSC – Jharkhand Students Continue Protest Despite Positive Government Talks
JPSC – The first round of discussions between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations ended without a final resolution on Friday, although both sides described the meeting as constructive.
Government Holds Talks With Student Delegation
A 10-member delegation representing the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch met a ministerial committee headed by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar at the State Guest House in Ranchi. The meeting focused on the students’ concerns regarding recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and related demands for reforms.
Following the discussions, student delegation leader Ravindra Paswan said the talks took place in a positive environment. However, he made it clear that the protest would continue until the students’ demands were addressed.
The protesters have set particular emphasis on the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, which they allege was affected by irregularities.
Students Set Deadline For Concrete Action
The government assured the delegation that its concerns would be examined sympathetically. However, the students said assurances alone would not be enough to end their agitation.
Paswan said the protesters would continue their movement and warned that they would march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 if the government failed to take concrete steps by Sunday.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government was aware of the seriousness of the students’ concerns and was prepared to examine their demands. He indicated that a response could emerge soon.
Minister Dipika Pandey Singh also said the students’ concerns had been brought to the attention of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Chief Minister Signals Willingness To Engage
Chief Minister Hemant Soren had earlier expressed his readiness to engage directly with students over the dispute. He said students across the state could bring their grievances before the government and indicated that reforms would be pursued in response to legitimate concerns.
The government’s willingness to continue discussions has provided a channel for negotiations, but the protesting students have maintained that they want specific action rather than assurances.
Another Protest Group Also Invited For Talks
Separately, another group of protesting students led by Devendra Mahto said it had received an invitation from the state government for discussions. Mahto, who has reportedly been on hunger strike for six days, said the group had submitted the names of an eight-member delegation for the proposed meeting.
The broader agitation entered its 14th day on Friday. Six protesters were continuing their hunger strike as the dispute remained unresolved.
Protesters Seek Cancellation And Independent Inquiry
The students are demanding that the 14th JPSC examination be cancelled and that an independent investigation be conducted into the alleged irregularities.
They have proposed either a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry or an investigation by a panel comprising retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand. The demand reflects their call for an investigation that they believe would be independent of the state-level recruitment process.
Earlier on Friday, the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch revised its delegation after the government raised objections to its original 11-member panel. The earlier group included an advocate and two technical experts. The revised delegation included student representatives such as Ravindra Paswan, Piyush Kumar, Rajesh Prasad, Neetu Kujur, Ankit Raj, Kartik Soren and Shalu Kumari.
Assembly March Draws Political Attention
The issue also led to a separate demonstration involving Left-backed student organisations AISA and AISF, which organised a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in support of the protesting students.
The JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch clarified that it had not participated in the march, while stating that it welcomed moral support from other organisations.
The demonstration was briefly disrupted near Birsa Chowk after AISA national president Neha Bora was allegedly hit with ink by a man. Police detained the accused, identified as Amarnath Pandey, for questioning.
Bora described the incident as an attempt to intimidate the student movement. The BJP rejected the allegation and described the incident as a “stage-managed drama”, while the ABVP denied involvement and condemned the attack.
BJP Legislators Raise Issue In Assembly
The recruitment controversy also disrupted proceedings inside the Jharkhand Assembly. BJP legislators demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Their protest led to disruption of the House proceedings, following which the Assembly was adjourned for the day. With the students maintaining their agitation and the government promising further consideration of their demands, the dispute is expected to remain a key issue in Jharkhand in the coming days.