Jharkhand protesters issue August 18 ultimatum, plan CM gherao

Jharkhand student protesters issued an August 18 ultimatum to the Hemant Soren government, threatening to gherao the chief minister's residence on August 20 if demands for cancellation of recruitment exams and a CBI probe are not met. The agitation, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with some protesters on a hunger strike.

Protesters burned effigies of Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in all 24 districts on Sunday, accusing the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of playing politics. Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the movement was moving beyond 'Gandhian methods' and invoking the path of Bhagat Singh. The protesters also demanded Soren's resignation and urged Gandhi to withdraw support from the coalition.

Chief Minister Soren has promised an impartial investigation and systemic reforms, including a time-bound exam calendar and technology-secured tests. However, student leaders rejected these assurances, insisting on a CBI probe or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand. The government launched a 'Students' Voice with Students' campaign to gather suggestions on exam reforms.