- Hundreds of students have been protesting in Ranchi since July 25 over alleged irregularities in the JPSC examination, with paper-leak allegations at the heart of the movement.
- On July 29, organisers called for a “Maha Andolan” and a Constitution march; nearly 5,000 students responded, marching peacefully through Ranchi in a broader assertion of constitutional rights, equal opportunity and accountability.
- The protesters plan to march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 6; rain has forced dozens to huddle on stage at night, residents have opened their rooms, and organisers say basic facilities such as electricity and food preparation remain a challenge.
- In the JPSC exam leak, a total of 11 people have been arrested, leading to the resignation of JPSC Chairman Lalbiaktluanga (L.) Khiangte; the Chief Minister said “strict action will be taken against the guilty”.
- Protesters are now demanding sweeping reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment and education system; the mobilisation, led by the JSSC-JPSC Bhrashtachar Mukht Abhiyan, comes days after massive protests over an allegation involving Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
- The crowd has become more diverse — from student leaders of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) to parents, social activists and teachers; party flags were largely absent, with protesters carrying the national flag and Constitution to project a non-partisan movement.
- Participants connect the exam leak to 26 years of recruitment grievances: one protester called it “yet another chapter in recruitment scandals”, and Devendra Mahato of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) said Jharkhand’s youth have repeatedly suffered due to recruitment irregularities.
Protests in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have erupted over alleged irregularities in the JPSC examination, with hundreds of students mobilizing since July 25.1278
Eleven arrests have been made, including the resignation of JPSC Chairman Lalbiaktluanga (L.) Khiangte.
Chief Minister has promised strict action against those responsible, but demonstrators are demanding comprehensive reforms in the state's recruitment and education systems, which have faced scrutiny for years.
On July 29, the protests escalated into a larger movement, dubbed the “Maha Andolan,” with nearly 5,000 students marching peacefully through Ranchi, carrying copies of the Constitution and the national flag.31112
The protests have attracted a diverse crowd, including student leaders, parents, and civil society members, all united in their call for accountability and equal opportunity.
Protester Chandan Kumar emphasized, “We don’t want that. This is a students’ movement, and it should remain focused on students’ issues.”
Vinay Kumar, an organizer, noted the challenges faced by the protesters, stating, “We have received tremendous support from ordinary people... but basic facilities have remained a challenge.”
The movement is set to continue with a march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 6, as students seek to highlight their plight and demand justice.456
“The protests began on July 25 and swelled on July 29, when nearly 5,000 students joined a 'Maha Andolan' Constitution march through Ranchi. The leak has led to 11 arrests and the resignation of JPSC Chairman Lalbiaktluanga (L.) Khiangte, with activists now planning an August 6 march to the Vidhan Sabha.”
The Indian Express
