Jharkhand students march towards Assembly over recruitment exam row; demand reforms, CBI probe

Ranchi: Protesting students in Ranchi on Monday began their march towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly to press for reforms in recruitment examinations, as their agitation entered its 17th day with multiple rounds of talks failing to address their concerns.

Carrying the Tiranga and flowers in their hands, the students described their march as a peaceful demonstration against alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations. The protesters also criticised the administration for imposing strict security measures and alleged that authorities were attempting to prevent them from reaching the Assembly.

The demonstration comes amid an ongoing agitation by students demanding the cancellation of controversial recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They are also seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities.

Speaking to IANS, one of the student protesters appealed to aspirants from across the state to join the movement.

“I want to appeal to all students to reach the Vidhan Sabha as soon as possible. The government appears to be fearful, which is why it is trying to stop us. Students from different communities and castes have come together here. We are witnessing student unity, which will benefit future generations. We are carrying flowers in our hands to show that our protest is completely peaceful,” the student said.

Another protester alleged that the administration had created unnecessary hurdles for the students.

“The administration is treating us unfairly and was not allowing us to move near the Vidhan Sabha. It took us more than five hours to reach here. I have come here for the students and their future,” the student said.

A third student questioned the government’s reluctance to accept the protesters’ demands.

“They are telling the world that they are engaging in dialogue with students, but none of our demands are being accepted. We are only asking for a CBI inquiry. If the government has nothing to hide, then why is it afraid of a CBI investigation?” the student asked.

Another participant accused the government of ignoring the concerns of aspirants.

“We want to wake up a government that is not paying attention to the future of students. There seems to be no sympathy for students. The entire system is flawed, and examinations are not being conducted properly,” the protester said.

The protest gained momentum after the third round of talks between student representatives and the state government failed to produce any breakthrough on Sunday. Following the collapse of negotiations, thousands of students from different districts began arriving in Ranchi to participate in the Assembly gherao.

Aspirants travelled to the state capital by buses, trains, and private vehicles, with many arriving as early as Sunday morning. Hundreds spent the night under the open sky at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Atal Smriti Vendor Market, and the verandas of nearby buildings.

In anticipation of the protest, authorities have made extensive security arrangements across the state capital. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly complex. Heavy barricading has been erected at around 12 key locations along the route leading to the Assembly, with barbed wire installed at several points.

Around 2,000 additional police personnel, along with units of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), riot-control vehicles, and water cannons, have been deployed to maintain law and order. While the state government has directed security personnel to exercise restraint and avoid the use of unnecessary force, the installation of barbed-wire barricades has triggered a political controversy in Jharkhand.

IANS