Jharkhand students weigh talks with government as recruitment exam protest continues

Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations continued their agitation in Ranchi, with the state government inviting them to send a five-member delegation for talks, according to Hindustan Times. Students' spokesperson Piyush Kumar Singh said no decision had been made by evening on whether to accept a closed-door meeting, after officials met protesters at Jaipal Singh Stadium, Times of India reported that students had agreed in principle, subject to public proceedings and media presence. Chief Minister Hemant Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, who called the alleged irregularities a matter of grave concern, and Soren said the government was committed to ensuring justice for the students. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, on an indefinite hunger strike, drank water after activist Sonam Wangchuk urged him by video call to protect his health, though he said the protest would continue. Students have separately called for Soren's resignation and reiterated plans for a gherao of the state assembly on 10 August.