The student protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations continued on Tuesday, August 11, as the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) marched from the Old Vidhan Sabha to the New Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi. The march came a day after police used water cannons, tear gas and lathis during a protest by JPSC and JSSC aspirants.
The BJP also observed a statewide bandh on Tuesday to protest the police action against students during Monday’s ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march.
ABVP Marches Against Police Action
ABVP members began their march towards the Jharkhand Assembly on Tuesday, raising concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and demanding action from the state government.
The students have been protesting since July 25, seeking reforms in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Their key demands include cancellation of the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and greater transparency in the recruitment process.
The ABVP had strongly criticised Monday’s police action and called for the protest march from the old Assembly premises to the new Assembly.
BJP Observes Jharkhand Bandh
The BJP called a statewide bandh from 8 am to midnight on Tuesday, accusing the Jharkhand government of using force against students.
BJP workers also blocked Ratu Road in Ranchi during the shutdown before police intervened.
The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), however, dismissed the bandh as an act of “sheer desperation” by the Opposition.
The BJP has also demanded an independent investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities and criticised the government’s handling of the student agitation.
Assembly Proceedings Disrupted
The Jharkhand Assembly was briefly adjourned on Tuesday after Opposition BJP legislators entered the well of the House and raised slogans against the government over the police action.
As the proceedings began, Congress MLA Pradip Yadav alleged that “miscreants” backed by the BJP had contributed to violence during Monday’s protest.
The political confrontation has intensified as the BJP continues to target the JMM-led government over its handling of the student movement.
Students Demand CBI Probe
The student agitation has centred on alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. Protesters are demanding the cancellation of several examinations and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.
Six protesters have also been observing an indefinite hunger strike, with two admitted to hospital.
The government has said it has accepted most of the students’ demands. Officials have claimed that around “98 per cent” of the demands have been addressed, but protesters have rejected the claim.
The state government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and backlog examinations conducted in 2023 and 2025. It has also agreed to an Enforcement Directorate probe into alleged financial irregularities.
However, the government has maintained that it cannot cancel the JSSC-CGL examination because it was conducted under court monitoring.
Rahul Gandhi, Kejriwal Back Students
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action against the protesters and said students should not face violence for raising their concerns.
“My message to Jharkhand students is very clear. We condemn any violence against peacefully protesting students,” Gandhi said.
Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also extended support to the protesters.
“I support the demands of the protesting students in Jharkhand and appeal to the government to resolve their issues immediately. Violence against students is simply unacceptable,” Kejriwal said in a post on X.
The BJP, meanwhile, has accused Gandhi of maintaining “double standards” because the Congress is part of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand.
Devendra Mahto Hospitalised
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike, was hospitalised after his health deteriorated during Monday’s protest.
Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari visited Sadar Hospital on Tuesday and met Mahto and other protesters undergoing treatment.
The student movement has now entered its 18th day, with protesters continuing to demand transparency, accountability and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examination system.
