Jharkhand protesters plan gherao of CM Soren’s home, seek resignation

Job aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams have threatened to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s official residence on August 20, demanding his resignation. The protesters under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch entered the 23rd day of their strike on Sunday. They also plan to burn effigies of Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts of the state, The Federal reports. The protesters have three main demands: cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC exams, a CBI investigation or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand, and greater transparency in the recruitment process. Hindustan Times reports that the protesters have also called on the Congress to withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition.

The announcement came after a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ on Saturday, where thousands marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk in Ranchi. JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said, “We will gherao the chief minister’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us.” CM Soren on Saturday said that the hard work of job aspirants would not be left at the mercy of the paper leak mafia, corruption, or irregularities, Times Now reports. Soren added that investigations would be impartial and anyone found guilty would face strict legal action.