The protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand intensified on Wednesday as six job aspirants continued an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi, a day before the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly begins.
Five protesters, including two women, joined the hunger strike on Tuesday night under the banner of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. They joined student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto, who entered the fourth day of his indefinite fast on Wednesday.
The protesters have been demonstrating for the past 10 days, demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination and comprehensive reforms in both the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Protesters Seek CBI Probe and Commission Reforms
The agitating students have also demanded that the alleged recruitment irregularities be investigated either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by an independent panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar said five more protesters had joined the indefinite hunger strike to intensify the movement.
“Our five friends, including two women, went on a hunger strike from Tuesday night to press for our demands,” Kumar said.
He added that the group’s core committee would soon meet to decide whether to organise a Tiranga March in support of the students’ demands.
‘We Want Action, Not Assurances’
Sabita Kumari, one of the women participating in the hunger strike, said the protesters had no option but to adopt stronger forms of protest because the government had not responded to their demands.
“We were forced to resort to this kind of protest since the government is not fulfilling our demands,” she said.
Another protester, Habiba, appealed directly to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
“The Chief Minister is like our guardian. When children are hungry, a guardian also feels pain. We hope he will listen to our grievances and demands,” she said.
She added, “The Chief Minister says the government is sensitive. It may be, but we want action and justice, not assurance.”
Government Assures Serious Consideration
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government was taking the concerns of the protesting job aspirants seriously and assured that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.
“With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured,” Soren told reporters in Ranchi.
CID Investigation Continues
The protests come amid an ongoing investigation into the alleged recruitment scam. Jharkhand Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 14 people so far in connection with the alleged irregularities.
The JPSC had earlier postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, originally scheduled for July 25 to 27, citing “unavoidable circumstances” as protests intensified.
As part of its investigation, the CID has questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad. The probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities is continuing.
