Gupteshwar. Ranchi2 hours ago
“There is no clear path for dialogue. The Assembly session is underway and we are waiting for the government to invite us for talks. We do not want to associate ourselves with any political party, but we need moral support from everyone.”
Rupesh, a student on hunger strike at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, pauses while speaking. Pointing to his throat, he says, “My throat is dry. I cannot speak anymore.”
Rupesh has been on hunger strike for the past six days as part of the students’ movement against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. Thousands of students have joined the protest, and heavy rainfall has not dampened their determination.
Dainik Bhaskar team visits protest site
The Dainik Bhaskar team visited the stadium to assess the condition of the protesting students and speak to those participating in the movement. Here is the ground report explaining the details regarding the protest.
Student leaders speak about demands and Rahul Gandhi call
Student leader Ravindra Paswan said he spoke to Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over the phone and briefed him about the situation at the protest site.
Pawan said, “I told him about the situation here and how the exam mafia is flourishing. I also pointed out that the Congress is part of the ruling alliance and should clarify its position on the issue.”
According to him, Rahul Gandhi told him to send the students’ demands on WhatsApp and assured him that the issue was being taken seriously.
Paswan quoted Gandhi as saying that he would do whatever possible to support the students and would also speak to the government.
‘My condition is worsening, I can barely hear, think or speak’: Student leader
Student leader Devendranath Mahto, who is on hunger strike, said his health has deteriorated significantly. He said, “My condition is worsening. I can barely hear, think or speak, and my other organs are no longer supporting me.”
Students participating in the movement said, “Repeated cancellations of competitive examinations such as JPSC and JSSC, along with allegations of paper leaks, were putting their future at risk. Students spend years preparing for these examinations, only to see papers allegedly leaked and exams cancelled, causing severe mental stress and uncertainty.”
‘Government is not seeing our condition’
Prem, another student on hunger strike, said he feels dizzy whenever he stands up. He also claimed that his urine had turned red.
He stated, “The government is not seeing our condition. I request the government to please listen to us.”
‘We will speak directly to CM, not delegations’
Prem said he considered Chief Minister Hemant Soren his guardian and urged him not to rely on what he described as misleading information.
He said, “I consider CM Hemant Soren my guardian. Some people may be misleading you, so please do not fall for it. Talk to us directly. You are sending delegations, ministers and MLAs, but we will not talk to them. Whenever we talk, we will speak directly to you, and the conversation should take place in front of cameras.”
‘Delays in recruitment exams are unfair to students’
Students protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations said, “Repeated delays and postponements were creating financial and career-related problems for aspirants.”
One student said, “Many candidates come from farming and economically weaker families and move to cities such as Ranchi for preparation. Living in rented accommodation and paying for books, coaching and other expenses is already difficult for them.”
He added, “When examinations are postponed, our entire financial planning gets disrupted.”
‘Students cross age limit because of repeated delays’
Students also said, “Prolonged delays in recruitment examinations cause many aspirants to cross the prescribed age limit, permanently making them ineligible to appear for the examinations.”
They further alleged, “Repeated instances of irregularities and fraud in competitive examinations have eroded students’ trust in the recruitment system and commissions such as JPSC and JSSC.”
They said, “The loss of confidence has forced thousands of aspirants to take to the streets in Ranchi to demand reforms and accountability.”
Sadar SDO Kumar Rajat and ADM Law and Order Dhananjay Kumar had reached Jaypal Singh Stadium with the Chief Minister’s message for dialogue.
CJP backs students’ movement, langar arranged for protesters
Students in Jharkhand have been staging a dharna at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for the past 14 days, demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination. Meanwhile, Mohammad Junaid has arranged a langar to provide meals to the protesting students.
Junaid had earlier organised food and refreshments for students during protests over the alleged NEET paper leak.
Food arranged for up to 1,000 students at a time
The langar has the capacity to serve around 500 to 1,000 students at a time. The protesting students themselves have taken responsibility for preparing and serving the food.
Junaid calls for CBI probe into alleged exam irregularities
Junaid termed the alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations a serious issue and demanded a CBI investigation.
He also extended his support to the protesters’ demands and urged the Jharkhand government to find a solution to the issue at the earliest.
A langar (community kitchen) has been set up for the protesters’ meals at Jaypal Singh Munda Stadium.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke backs students’ protest
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has extended support to the students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations. He said, “Our team will go there.”
Support for the movement is now spreading beyond Jharkhand, with people from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Uttar Pradesh-Bihar, Bengaluru and Hyderabad reportedly reaching Ranchi to stand with the protesting students.
Students’ demands reach Assembly
The students’ demands have also found an echo inside the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly. During the last two days of the monsoon session, opposition parties strongly raised the issue of the ongoing protest and demanded action from the government.
Opposition members also staged protests inside the Assembly and called for Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s resignation over the handling of the students’ demands.
The opposition continuously raised the students’ demands forcefully in the house.
Students adopt unique ways to keep protest alive
Despite heavy rainfall in Ranchi, students protesting against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations are continuing their agitation through cultural programmes, slogans and creative forms of protest.
Thousands of students associated with the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum have been using different methods to highlight their demands.
At times, they have organised tricolour marches, while on other occasions, students have staged protests by switching on the flashlights of their mobile phones.
Students from various colleges across Ranchi are also reaching Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to join the ongoing movement.
Students are staging their protest by lighting mobile flashlights.
Writer and singer arrives from Mumbai to support students
Bollywood song and dialogue writer Ritesh Rajwad, a native of Uttar Pradesh, travelled from Mumbai to Ranchi to meet and support the protesting students.
Addressing the students, Rajwad said, “The government would have to listen to their demands and the voice of the protesters.” He said he learnt about the agitation while in Mumbai and decided to travel to Ranchi to meet the students in person.
He added, “Wherever protests for students’ rights are discussed in the future, the ongoing agitation in Jharkhand would also be remembered.”
Ritesh Rajwad said – Wherever there is a protest, Jharkhand’s protest will be remembered.
CID arrests 19 accused in JPSC exam fraud case
The CID, which is investigating alleged fraud in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations, has raised the total number of arrests in the alleged examination syndicate case to 19. During raids linked to the investigation, the agency also seized several digital devices and documentary evidence.
Government forms four-member panel to negotiate with students
On August 5, Chief Minister Hemant Soren initiated efforts to end the ongoing student agitation by forming a four-member ministerial committee to hold talks with the protesters.
The panel comprises Higher Education Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, Welfare Minister Chamra Linda and Industries Minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with the ministers at his residence to discuss the proposed dialogue with the students.
Officials reach stadium with CM’s message
Following the meeting, Sadar SDO Kumar Rajat and ADM Law and Order Dhananjay Kumar reached Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium with the Chief Minister’s message and invited the protesting students for talks.
The government conveyed that the Chief Minister was ready to meet a delegation of students and asked them to nominate five representatives.
Students reject closed-door meeting
The protesters, however, refused to participate in a closed-door meeting and insisted that any discussion with the government should take place on a public platform.
On August 6, the students submitted a delegation list comprising eight students, two journalists and former Advocate General Ajit Kumar.
The government objected to the inclusion of the former Advocate General, making it clear that discussions would be held only with student representatives.
