Jharkhand recruitment exam protest intensifies as CJP extends support to agitating students

The ongoing protest by students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) entered its sixth day on Aug 3, with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) extending support to the agitation.

Hundreds of aspirants have been demonstrating in Ranchi, alleging irregularities in the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination, the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) recruitment examination and other recruitment processes.

The protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination, a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities and broader reforms to ensure transparency in future recruitments.

The agitation has gained momentum with one of the student leaders beginning an indefinite hunger strike, while protesters have warned of intensifying their movement, including plans to gherao the Jharkhand Assembly if their demands are not addressed.

On Aug 2, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced his support for the students, saying he had spoken to representatives of the protest and that his organisation stood in solidarity with their demands for a fair and transparent recruitment process.

According to Dipke, the movement should remain peaceful and democratic while seeking accountability for alleged examination irregularities.

The protest comes days after the conclusion of the CJP-led anti-paper leak agitation in New Delhi, which focused on alleged irregularities in national entrance examinations and broader concerns over recruitment transparency. The organisation has since indicated that it intends to support similar student movements across the country.

The protesting students have maintained that their demands extend beyond the cancellation of individual examinations and include structural reforms to recruitment agencies to restore confidence among job aspirants.

They have alleged that repeated controversies have eroded trust in the state's recruitment system, while insisting that their protest will continue until the government initiates concrete action.

The Jharkhand government has not yet announced any decision on the protesters' key demands.