Students have continued protests in Ranchi for several days over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC examinations. On Monday, protesters started marching towards the Assembly while political parties increasingly joined the agitation. Meanwhile, BJP leaders staged a demonstration outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s Ranchi residence. Police detained Babulal Marandi, Aditya Sahu, and several other party leaders during the protest.
After detention, opposition leader Babulal Marandi accused the government of diverting public attention. He said students continued their agitation despite the administration’s response. Moreover, Marandi demanded a CBI investigation into all JPSC-JSSC-CGL matters. Earlier, BJP workers demonstrated outside the Chief Minister’s residence under Marandi and Aditya Sahu’s leadership. The party also demanded a CBI investigation into alleged examination irregularities.
Marandi said students had remained on hunger strike inside a stadium for 14-15 days. However, he accused the government of delaying action. Authorities have arrested 19 people so far over alleged irregularities linked with JPSC examinations.
Students Break Barricades During Assembly March
Meanwhile, protesting students gathered in large numbers near Ranchi’s old Assembly building. They initially began their march peacefully. However, demonstrators later broke police barricades near the old Assembly complex. Subsequently, they moved towards the new Assembly building during their “Assembly gherao” march.
Mahua Maji Questions Political Role Behind Protest
JMM MP Mahua Maji said students met a delegation and state ministers one day earlier. According to her, both sides said authorities had accepted 98% of the demands. She added that students also accepted this position after the meeting. However, Maji suggested some political parties might have encouraged them to continue protesting.
She said only 2% of the students’ demands remained unresolved. That issue concerns an examination whose result followed Supreme Court and High Court orders. Moreover, many candidates have already secured jobs through that examination.
Maji said the government cannot cancel that examination without a court order. Therefore, the administration has requested students not to proceed with their protest march.
BJP Stages Protest Outside Hemant Soren’s Residence
Meanwhile, BJP leaders protested outside Hemant Soren’s residence on Monday. They demanded a CBI investigation into alleged recruitment examination irregularities across Jharkhand.
Aditya Sahu and Babulal Marandi led the demonstration. Protesters raised slogans while carrying placards displaying their demands. One message called for authorities to stop “playing with students’ futures.” Another demanded a CBI probe recommendation into alleged JPSC examination irregularities.
A police officer confirmed the detention of Sahu, Marandi, and several other BJP leaders. Meanwhile, BJP Jharkhand spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo made another allegation. He claimed authorities had kept him and several leaders under “house arrest” since 7 am.
Government and Protesters Differ Over Accepted Demands
The Jharkhand government claims it has accepted “98% of the demands” raised by protesters. However, protesting students dispute that assertion.
The government has agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC examination. Additionally, authorities proposed an ED investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the JPSC examination. The administration also announced a fast-track court, which will file a chargesheet within 90 days.
Meanwhile, Aditya Sahu accused the state government of “selling” jobs meant for poor students. He argued that protesters would receive justice only through a CBI investigation.
Sahu said the government lacks courage to recommend such an investigation. He accused those in power of wanting to enjoy the benefits of office. BJP leaders also described the CID investigation as merely a show. Furthermore, they claimed young people lack trust in the state agency.
