Jharkhand Protest: Talks fail, students to continue agitation, hunger strike

As the agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations entered its 14th day on August 7, talks between the state government and student protesters failed to resolve the deadlock. The students have announced to continue their protest and hunger strike until their demands are met. One of their key demands is cancellation of 14th JPSC examination.

The first round of talks was held between a 10-member delegation of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch and a government panel headed by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar. The protesters submitted a revised delegation list after the government objected to an earlier 11-member panel that included an advocate.

"The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere, and the government assured us that our demands would be considered. However, we have decided to continue our protest until all our demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, are fulfilled," a JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch leader told PTI after the meeting.

The protesters warned to proceed with their planned Vidhan Sabha march on August 10 if the state government failed to fulfil their demands by August 9. In view of the proposed protest march, a prohibitory order has been imposed within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha building from August 6 to 12.

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Key demands of students

The students are seeking cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, either by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state. They are also demanding comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

"We met the students' delegation and are sensitive to their concerns. We are ready to consider their demands sympathetically, and the outcome will be visible soon," Kumar told reporters.

Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the students' demands had been conveyed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. "The chief minister is concerned about students and an outcome will come soon," she said.

Meanwhile, another group led by Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for six days, said it had also been invited for talks. The group submitted the names of an eight-member delegation. According to its members, the delegation has been invited for talks at 10 am on August 8 at the state guest house.

The agitation, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, entered its 14th day on Friday and has emerged as one of the largest student-led movements in Jharkhand in recent years.

Concerns over the health of protesters also increased after student leader Rahul Kranti, one of six people on an indefinite hunger strike, was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital following a deterioration in his condition. Kranti had been fasting since Tuesday night.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited the hospital and appealed to the students not to risk their lives, saying they had a long battle ahead. Health Minister Irfan Ansari also met Kranti on the chief minister's instructions and said the students were receiving proper medical care under specialist supervision.

The movement also received support from political and social groups. Two Left-backed student organisations, the All India Students' Association (AISA) and the All India Students' Federation (AISF), organised a march towards the Assembly in support of the protesters.

The issue also reached Jharkhand Assembly, where BJP legislators disrupted proceedings and demanded a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities, leading to the House being adjourned for the day. So far, 19 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.

(With PTI inputs)