Jharkhand exam row intensifies as protest enters 13th day

The protest against alleged examination irregularities in Jharkhand intensified on Thursday as opposition MLAs staged a demonstration on the Assembly premises on the opening day of its Monsoon Session, while the student-led agitation entered its 13th day with six protesters on hunger strike.

The protest began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and has emerged as one of the state’s biggest student-led movements in recent years.

The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment test, either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.

Ahead of the start of the Assembly’s Monsoon Session, MLAs of the opposition NDA bloc held a protest and demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The legislators raised slogans against the state government, with BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal alleging that the government was “selling” the future of Jharkhand’s youths.

“The government has set up a committee. But it should know that nobody trusts your CID and committee. The probe should be conducted by the CBI,” he said.

Referring to the Delhi protest against the NEET exam paper leak, which ultimately led to Dharmandra Pradhan quitting as Union Education minister, BJP’s Koderma MLA Neera Yadav said, “The Congress puts up one mask when the stir is in Delhi and a different one for Jharkhand.”

The Congress is an ally of the Hemant Soren government in Jharkhand. It has, however, extended support to the students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday said question paper leak issues are a national problem and offered talks to resolve the impasse.

Responding to the BJP’s allegations, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar said on Thursday that the government was serious about the concerns raised by the students.

“I would like to thank the students who have given a positive response. A fruitful discussion is possible today,” he said.

With student unions proposing to picket the Assembly on August 7 and 10, a prohibitory order has been imposed within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly building from August 6 to 12 between 6 am and 10 pm.

Meanwhile, the protesters continued to press for comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Five protesters, including two women, joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto in his hunger strike. He has been on fast for the past five days.

Mahto’s health became a matter of concern after his blood sugar and blood pressure levels dropped significantly.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently observed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke to Mahto over the phone and urged him to at least drink water to safeguard his health.

Following Wangchuk’s appeal, Mahto drank water.

The protesters said they had been forced to adopt the extreme form of agitation after repeated appeals to the government “failed” to produce any concrete action.

“Our five friends, including two women, have joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and press for our demands,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar had said on Wednesday.

One of the fasting protesters, Sabita Kumari, said the government had “ignored” students’ concerns, leaving them with no alternative but to intensify their agitation.

Another protester, Habiba, appealed to the chief minister, saying, “The chief minister is like our guardian. When children remain hungry, a guardian also feels pain. We hope he will listen to our grievances. We want action and justice, not just assurances.”

A BJP delegation led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited the protest site on Wednesday and reiterated its demand for the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities.

As the protest gathered momentum, the CID investigation into the alleged recruitment scam also intensified.

“So far, 19 people have been arrested, five of them on Wednesday. Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28,” an official said on Wednesday.

(With inputs from agencies)