- Students have been protesting in Ranchi for 15 days over alleged irregularities in state job examinations.
- On July 2, JPSC conducted the 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination, which students demand be scrapped.
- On Friday, a group of 11 students met the government-appointed panel.
- On Saturday, an eight-member delegation from JPSC-JSSC Aspirant Nyay Manch, led by Devendra Nath Mahto, met the panel at State Guest House in Ranchi.
- After the meeting, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu announced an email ID for feedback, but no breakthrough was achieved.
- Minister Sonu stated that the government intends to formulate a reform policy and reach a collective decision based on input received via the email, taking everyone's concerns into account.
- The student delegation said the government assured them of a quick decision, but they maintained their agitation would continue until demands are met.
- Protesters at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium demand cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT examinations held after 2019, a CBI investigation, and strict action against "mafias and agencies involved."
Jharkhand's ongoing student protests over alleged examination irregularities have entered a critical phase as the government held a second round of discussions with student representatives. Despite the engagement, no breakthrough was achieved, prompting the continuation of protests that have lasted for 15 days.15
An eight-member delegation from the JPSC-JSSC Aspirant Nyay Manch, led by Devendra Nath Mahto, met with government officials at the State Guest House in Ranchi. The students are demanding the scrapping of the 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) on July 2, along with a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.248
Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu stated that the government is committed to ongoing dialogue, announcing the creation of an email address, JPSSC.feedback@gmail.com, for students to submit their suggestions. “We will continue to meet with various student groups and stakeholders,” he said, emphasizing the government's intention to formulate a reform policy based on feedback received.6
Despite assurances from the government, Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for a week, reiterated that the students' demands remain unchanged. “It doesn't matter how many of us go to meet them. All of us have the same demands, which should be fulfilled,” he asserted. The protesters are also calling for the cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT examinations held after 2019, and strict action against those involved in the alleged irregularities.
“Protesters at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium demand cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT exams held after 2019, a CBI investigation, and strict action against "mafias and agencies involved." Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, on a week-long hunger strike, insists demands remain unchanged regardless of who negotiates.”
