Jharkhand students to torch Hemant Soren, Rahul Gandhi effigies today

Students led by the JPSC-JSSC Sudhar Manch will hold protests across Jharkhand on Friday, burning effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The agitation over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC exams will culminate on August 20 with a planned siege of the chief minister's residence.

The students are demanding the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam and a CBI probe. Devendra Nath Mahato, on a hunger strike for 14 days, was stopped by police when he tried to leave Sadar Hospital on Independence Day to attend a flag-hoisting ceremony. He alleged he was pushed and injured. MLA Tiger Jayram Mahato has said he will raise the matter in the assembly.

The protest marks the first time students have demanded Soren's resignation. The August 20 siege aims to hold the government accountable for the exam process.