Jharkhand exam protest turns violent as police clash with students

A student protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations turned violent in Ranchi on Friday after a scuffle broke out between police and demonstrators who had gathered to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The protesters, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, accused the state government of failing to address their concerns over transparency and alleged malpractice in recruitment exams. Police said the situation deteriorated after the demonstrators deviated from the designated route and moved towards the Jharkhand Public Service Commission office, disrupting traffic.

Student leaders alleged that women demonstrators were assaulted by workers of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and that a core committee member was detained and fainted. The Jharkhand High Court recently stayed the government’s notifications cancelling appointments linked to the JSSC-CGL and 11th and 13th JPSC examinations, directing the state to file its response within 15 days. The court has also stayed the cancellation of Food Safety Officer appointments. The 26-day student agitation was suspended after the government assured it would cancel 22 recruitment examinations and probe 23 others conducted since 2014.

JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto announced a 'Recruitment System Reforms Yatra' from August 24 and warned that if the government fails to present its case effectively before the High Court on September 15, protesters may consider gheraoing the chief minister’s residence. The September 15 hearing is expected to be a key point in determining the next phase of the agitation.