Jharkhand Students May Decide on Protest Withdrawal as Reform Yatra Begins

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto on Monday launched a 24-district campaign from Ramgarh, Jharkhand, aimed at pushing for comprehensive recruitment exam reforms, even as a separate student protest over alleged irregularities in state recruitment exams entered a critical phase.

Mahto, who has been spearheading the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, began the second phase of the "JPSC-JSSC Corruption-Free Recruitment Campaign" from Nemra, the ancestral village of former Chief Minister Shibu Soren, with traditional rituals including senior pahans, the national anthem to the beats of the madar, tributes to leaders, and planting a sal sapling.

"Taking the blessings of all the villagers, followed traditional rituals, and invoked the blessings of Guruji (Shibu Soren)," Mahto said in an ANI report. "This 24-district, 24-resolve, one voice, will raise a voice for reform in the recruitment system. We will spread this voice to every village and work to connect villages and cities with this campaign."

The campaign, operating under the slogan "24 Districts, 24 Resolutions, One Voice," calls for strict, guaranteed measures to prevent question paper leaks, eliminate lobbying, and root out institutional corruption. Mahto emphasized that decisions regarding 45 controversial recruitment exams must remain in place regardless of court proceedings or administrative challenges.

Meanwhile, ThePrint reported that students protesting in Ranchi may decide on Tuesday whether to withdraw their demonstration after the government cancelled all recruitment tests conducted by outsourced agencies since 2014. The protest reached its 25th day, with six protesters on hunger strike. Mahto broke his 16-day fast around Monday midnight, and students celebrated by waving the Tricolour. Activist Sonam Wangchuk congratulated Mahto, calling the government's decision a "victory for everyone."

Government Actions and Reactions

Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired a marathon cabinet meeting and announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam and all tests and results by TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL), citing findings from CID/SIT probes of a "huge exam racket" involving companies. The government also enacted the Jharkhand Competitive Examination Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment Act and set up an exam reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal.

However, the key demand for a CBI probe was not accepted, and some agitators said the protest would continue. The protest leaders had earlier announced plans to gherao the Chief Minister's residence on August 20 and sought Soren's resignation, accusing the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to act. Opposition BJP leader Babulal Marandi backed the CBI probe demand, warning that continued inaction could push more youth onto the streets.

A counter-protest by successful candidates claiming around 2,000 people could be jobless added another layer of tension. The Jharkhand High Court has temporarily stayed the cancellation of exams after petitions from already-appointed candidates, and selected candidates are protesting to protect their jobs.

Political Crossfire

JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said people should not be misled and students confused, noting that Jharkhand is the first state to set up a high-level committee for reforms. He alleged that donations were being collected from students and that this appeared to be a conspiracy by coaching operators to cancel exams and resell study materials. BJP spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo accused the JMM-led government of ignoring students' concerns and alleged that JMM workers attacked students burning an effigy.

Mahto, in a self-made video, said he respects the High Court's decision to stay the government's order cancelling the 11th to 13th JPSC exams and appointments but questioned the Advocate General's absence during the hearing. He expressed confidence that the court would ensure justice for students protesting against paper leaks and irregularities.

The yatra route covers all 24 districts of Jharkhand, starting from Ramgarh and passing through Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Latehar, Palamu, Garhwa, and concluding in Ranchi.