RANCHI — High tension gripped the state capital on Monday morning as thousands of job aspirants and student activists gathered near the old Jharkhand Legislative Assembly building to launch a massive march toward the Vidhan Sabha. Entering its 17th day, the agitation over alleged irregularities in competitive recruitment examinations—including the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC-CGL) and Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) tests—has reached a critical deadlock between student bodies and the state government.
Security measures have been intensified across Ranchi in anticipation of the demonstration. Multi-layered barricades and barbed wire have been erected along major routes leading to the legislative complex. Ranchi authorities have enforced prohibitory orders within a 750-meter radius of the Assembly through August 12, while most major local schools remained closed on Monday to prevent public disruption, as reported by Alter News.
Key Developments: JPSC Members Resign Amid CID Investigation
The planned demonstration follows a turbulent weekend that saw significant shake-ups within the state’s recruitment machinery. On Sunday, three members of the JPSC—Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda, and Jamal Ahmad—tendered their resignations after being summoned by the Jharkhand Crime Investigation Department (CID) for questioning regarding alleged paper leaks. Bhattacharya, wife of senior Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Supriyo Bhattacharyya, was scheduled for questioning on Monday, while queries for Ahmad and Hansda were slated for later in the week.
Their resignations come on the heels of former JPSC Chairperson L. Khiangte stepping down on July 22 amid mounting scrutiny over state examination procedures.
Deadlock Persists Over CBI Probe Demand
Despite six rounds of marathon talks between government representatives and student leaders, negotiations broke down on Sunday evening. The state panel, led by Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu, stated that the government had agreed to "98 per cent of the demands," including the cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and backlog recruitment tests from 2023 and 2025.
However, representatives under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch rejected the package, maintaining that the government agreed to scrap only three of the 13 contested examinations. Crucially, the student body remains firm on its core demand: a full investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the JSSC-CGL exam, according to coverage by
While the state government proposed a judicial probe headed by a retired high court judge alongside potential Enforcement Directorate (ED) scrutiny for financial irregularities, student representatives rejected the compromise.
Calls for Peaceful Demonstration and Discipline
Addressing reporters ahead of the march, student leader Ravindra Paswan emphasized that the rally and proposed gherao (encircling) of the Vidhan Sabha would remain peaceful and democratic.
"I urge all students and the general public to maintain peace and adhere to constitutional norms. Since we students are leading this movement, we must demonstrate that we are disciplined and educated," Paswan stated. He added that between 300 and 400 student volunteers have been deployed to monitor the crowds, prevent disruptions, and assist law enforcement in identifying any rogue or anti-social elements.
Various political and non-political groups, including student outfits like the All India Students Association (AISA) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), have extended moral support to the movement. While political tensions continue to brew, student leaders have explicitly requested all political organizations to refrain from hijacking the movement or giving the agitation a partisan color.
