Ranchi, August 5 – In Jharkhand, students have escalated their protests against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with five more demonstrators beginning an indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren acknowledged that the issue of leaked question papers is a national concern and proposed dialogue to resolve the deadlock. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk engaged in discussions with Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on hunger strike, urging him to drink water.
Responding to Wangchuk’s plea, Mahto consumed water on the fourth day of his fast. Meanwhile, under the banner of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Reform Forum, five others initiated their indefinite hunger strike from Tuesday night. The protests have intensified ahead of the monsoon session of the assembly starting Thursday.
The number of individuals on hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has now reached six. Devendra Nath Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front, has been fasting at this location for four days. Wangchuk, who recently completed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET question paper leak, advised Mahto to stay hydrated as his blood sugar and pressure levels were reportedly dropping.
Following this advice, Mahto drank water. The protesters have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam and reforms within the JPSC and JSSC since July 25. They are also calling for an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a panel of retired judges from outside the state.
Life Kumar, a spokesperson for the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum, stated, “In support of our demands, five of our colleagues, including two women, began their hunger strike on Tuesday night.” Sabita Kumari, one of the hunger strikers, expressed frustration that the government has not addressed their demands, forcing them into such drastic measures. Another protester, Habiba, remarked, “The Chief Minister is like a guardian to us. When children are hungry, it pains the guardians as well. We hope he will heed our complaints and demands.”
She added, “The Chief Minister claims the government is sensitive. That may be true, but we need action and justice, not just assurances.” As the protests intensified, state authorities began efforts to resolve the impasse through dialogue. Ranchi’s Sub-Divisional Officer Kumar Rajat and Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar visited the protest site and invited a five-member student delegation to discuss matters at the Chief Minister’s residence.
Rajat mentioned, “The students requested some time to consider the proposal.” In response to the administration’s appeal for dialogue, student leader Ravindra Paswan insisted, “We demand that discussions be held in public or broadcast live instead of behind closed doors.” Another student leader, Prem Sagar, added, “Since our Chief Minister promotes the ‘Government at Your Doorstep’ initiative, we request that he come to the protest site.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated on Wednesday that the issue of leaked recruitment exam question papers is not just a state problem but a national one. He emphasized that his government is committed to addressing students’ concerns. Soren wrote on social media, “The worries of my young friends are a serious matter for us. The alleged paper leak is not just a Jharkhand issue; it has become a significant national problem affecting youth across many states. Our government is taking this matter very seriously.”
He assured that agencies are working tirelessly to investigate and bring the culprits to justice. Soren stated, “Our goal is not just to investigate but to provide a complete solution for our young friends.” He also mentioned that he met with Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar during the day to discuss the students’ protests and the current situation in the state. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi remarked that the protesters’ demands are valid.
He stated, “The government should cancel the 14th JPSC exam and hand over the investigation to the CBI.” Senior Congress leader Ajay Kumar urged the Jharkhand government to form a committee led by a sitting High Court judge to investigate the alleged irregularities, remove all JPSC officials, and annul the results of recently conducted exams. The Congress party is a key ally in the Hemant Soren government. An official revealed that the Jharkhand Police’s Crime Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 14 individuals in connection with the alleged irregularities.
Amid the rising protests, the JPSC postponed the joint civil service main examination scheduled for July 25-27, citing “unavoidable circumstances.” Since July 28, the CID has interrogated former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte four times and conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Dhanbad as part of the investigation.