Jharkhand Student Protests Escalate Over Recruitment Exam Irregularities
The JPSC and JSSC examinations faced severe backlash as the students protested against the results of the 14 th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Exam and the irregularities of other exams conducted by the two agencies.
The students demanded a transparent evaluation of the exam and an independent probe into the JPSC and JSSC examination irregularities as they felt the authorities do not take their representations regarding the exams seriously.
Hundreds gather in Ranchi
Hundreds of students turned up in Ranchi on 29 th July after the student bodies sent out multiple requests to the administration regarding the irregularities in the JPSC examination process. The protesters reached Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and raised placards with messages saying, ‘cancel 14 th prelims exam,’ and ‘probe into irregularities by CBI,’ and marched toward Albert Ekka Chowk.
The students alleged that the authorities conducting the exams were being blatantly non-transparent and were outrightly violating the rules during the examination process.
BJP and youth wings join
The student protests against the JPSC examination malpractice took a political turn as the BJP and its youth wings joined the student bodies in Ranchi. Apart from demanding the cancellation of the 14 th preliminary exam, the BJP also demanded an independent probe into the JPSC examination irregularities. Student and political bodies from across the state took part in the protest meeting.
Government accepts most of the demands
The agitations continued for more than two weeks before the authorities decided to act on the students’ demands. The student bodies made multiple representations to the administration, which led to a stakeholders’ meeting where the administration responded to the students’ demands. Consequently, the government canceled the 14 th preliminary exam and two backlog exams of 2023 and 2025.
A minister acknowledged the cancellation of the examination, saying that about 98 percent of the students’ demands had been addressed. However, they were not entirely satisfied with the response, as they wanted a CBI investigation into the irregularities in the JPSC examinations.
Students move towards assembly
Thousands of students marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly on 10 th August, and the administration blocked the protesters’ way at the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha complex. Some students reached near the complex, despite the police’s tight security around the building, as the police used water cannons, tear gas, and baton charges to clear the road and stop the protesters from reaching the gates of the assembly.
The students alleged that they were injured in the firing as the police charged toward them. However, the police said the protesters had pelted stones at the officers and that several police personnel had been injured in the cross-fire. The students reached near the gates but were ultimately charged at by the police and forced to disperse.
Why is this issue important for the students?
Irregularities in the JPSC examinations are an important issue for the students because most of them studied extensively for the tests. Students would benefit from retaking the exams, which they are likely to pass considering their experience with the evaluation process.
Moreover, apart from having taken the test multiple times, students who take the exam again are likely to pass it considering their vast experience. The students are also unhappy with how the government has handled the matter.
Chief Minister asks protesters to remain calm
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has advised the demonstrators to remain calm as he reacts to their complaints about the irregularities in the JPSC examinations. He asks political leaders to stop using the students’ agitation for political gain as the protests had become politicized.
Bandh declared as police crack down on protesters
BJP has declared a statewide bandh for the next day, 11 th August, to protest against the police’s brutal crackdown on student protesters and show solidarity with those injured in the cross-fire. The nationwide strike caused utter chaos as it was observed across the state. Youth wings of various political parties also protested and continued demanding a CBI investigation into the JPSC examination irregularities.
Students and government remain at loggerheads
Protests by Jharkhand students against irregularities in the JPCSC examinations have left the state on edge for the past few days. While the government responded to the students’ demands, it finds itself at loggerheads with most of the protesting students over the issue of a CBI investigation into the JPSC examination malpractices.
The nationwide strike that commenced on Monday, 11 th August, and the violent protests on Sunday, 10 th August, have further fueled the students’ anger toward the government. A CBI investigation into the JPSC examination irregularities will help quell the widespread protests and end the chaos as most of the students’ demands have been met. If the demands are not met, the students are likely to continue agitating and unsettling the government.
