Jharkhand HC stays job cancellations as student clashes erupt

Student protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams escalated into clashes with police in Ranchi, Hazaribag, and Giridih on August 21. The Jharkhand High Court stayed government notifications cancelling appointments made through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations, Food Safety Officers, JSSC-CGL, and CDPO recruitments, providing interim relief to candidates. Protesters from the 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch' burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the state government of not defending cases in court.

The state government had earlier cancelled 22 recruitment exams conducted since 2014 and ordered probes into 23 others, following a 25-day agitation. Rediff.com reports that police used mild force to disperse demonstrators, while student leaders alleged that female protesters were assaulted and a core committee member was detained. Green Left reports that left-wing groups, including the CPI(ML) Liberation, played a prominent role in the movement, and that a 16-day hunger strike by youth leaders intensified pressure on the government.

Opposition leader Babulal Marandi accused the government of using force against students. The ruling JMM alleged that the BJP is exploiting the issue for political gain. The High Court's interim orders offer significant relief to around 2,700 successful candidates who argued that meritorious selections should not be cancelled due to irregularities. Further hearings are pending.