Jharkhand protest: Students form 11-member delegation for talks with govt over JPSC, JSSC row

Protesting JPSC and JSSC aspirants in Jharkhand have constituted an 11-member delegation to hold talks with the state government, marking a fresh step toward resolving the ongoing dispute over alleged recruitment examination irregularities.

The protest in Jharkhand intensified as six students continued their indefinite hunger strike, while the state government's offer of talks marked the first breakthrough in the ongoing agitation.

The delegation was constituted after Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government's doors were open for dialogue. Student leaders said they had not received a formal invitation but decided to nominate eight student representatives, one lawyer, and two technical experts for the proposed talks. They also demanded that any meeting with the government be held in the presence of the media.

The agitation began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and has since emerged as one of the state's largest student-led movements.

Protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination, an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

On Aug 5 evening, aspirants held a flashlight protest march from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Later, Ranchi Sadar SDO Rajat Kumar and ADM Dhananjay Kumar visited the protest site to interact with the students.

"We came to speak with our younger brothers about how we can assist them in their preparations for the future," Rajat Kumar said.

According to the protesters, the administration had suggested that a four or five-member delegation attend the meeting, but students opted for a larger panel to ensure broader representation.

The agitation has also gained political attention. BJP legislators staged a protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly during the first day of the Monsoon Session, demanding a CBI probe into the alleged examination irregularities.

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has said he will join the students' hunger strike if the state government fails to take a decision by Aug 13.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also spoke with representatives of the protesting students over the phone. Student leader Piyush Kumar said the aspirants reiterated their demands for cancellation of the examination, an investigation into the alleged irregularities, and reforms in the recruitment process.

"We told him of our demands, that exam should be cancelled, regarding investigation and reforms. He said that he stands with our demands, and that they will take it up with the Govt. He said that he stands with and supports students...We are yet to get any official information regarding the date and time of meeting (with the government)," Kumar said.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan said Gandhi also enquired about the situation at the protest site.

"He asked us about the situation here. We told him about the irregularities in exams here. We told him that Congress is in the government in Jharkhand and they should help us. He told us that he stands with students," Paswan said.

Meanwhile, five protesters, including two women, joined student leader Devendra Nath Mahto in the hunger strike. Mahto, who began his indefinite fast on Aug 2, is continuing his protest on water and salt.

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk clarified reports that Mahto had ended his hunger strike after speaking with him. "He consumed water, not food; I want to clarify this. He was fasting without water and without food, which is, in a way, like suicide. So, I only urged him to consume water and salt now and continue his fast."

The protesters have also released a list of 21 demands and announced a "Vidhan Sabha Gherao" on Aug 10 if their demands are not met. They have intensified pressure on the Hemant Soren government by seeking the chief minister's resignation.

"We will remain steadfast until the government accepts our demands. We now demand the chief minister's resignation, as he is unfit for the post he holds. It has been so long since he returned from Bengaluru, yet he has taken no cognisance of the situation," a protesting student said.

Another protester said, "Students have clearly presented their issues. If Dharmendra Pradhan can resign, why can't Hemant Soren resign?"

Students' spokesperson Piyush Kumar Singh said government representatives met the protesters on Aug 5.

"State government's representatives came to talk to us in the afternoon. They offered a meeting with the state government and asked us to send a five-member delegation. We could not decide whether to accept a closed-door meeting or not," Singh said, adding that the students would soon finalize their representatives for the dialogue.

Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said the government was investigating the allegations and that 19 people had been arrested so far. Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has also been questioned four times since July 28 as part of the investigation.