Jharkhand recruitment protest enters fifth day, students demand CBI probe into JPSC exam

The protest by government job aspirants in Jharkhand entered its fifth day on Aug 2, with hundreds of students gathering in Ranchi to press for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in multiple state recruitment examinations, including the 14th JPSC and JSSC-CGL.

The indefinite sit-in, which began on July 29 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has centered on demands for greater transparency in the state's recruitment process.

Students have called for cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Examination conducted on April 19 and sought an independent inquiry by central agencies, including the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), into recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They have also demanded the addition of a fifth "not attempted" option in OMR answer sheets.

Throughout the protest, demonstrators raised slogans in support of student unity while demanding a CBI probe into the JPSC examination and criticizing the Hemant Soren-led government.

Questioning the ongoing state investigation, JPSC aspirant Rahul Kumar Kranti said candidates no longer had confidence in the CID inquiry.

"Paper leaks in JPSC have happened several times. This time, OMR sheets of candidates have been leaked. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered a CID probe, but we are not satisfied," JPSC aspirant Rahul Kumar Kranti said.

He claimed that earlier investigations into the JSSC-CGL paper leak had failed to produce meaningful action and expressed concern that the current inquiry could meet a similar fate.

"We have completely lost faith in the ongoing CID probe. We demand a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC over the past seven years. We also demand the chief minister's resignation on moral grounds," Kranti said.

Students participating in the agitation said alleged corruption in recruitment agencies was affecting the future of thousands of aspirants, many of whom had spent years preparing for competitive examinations.

"The careers of thousands of students and aspirants are at stake due to corruption in both agencies. Most of us come from farmers' families. We only want fair opportunities based on merit," said Ankit Kumar from Giridih district.

Sneha, a tribal student from Ranchi, said the alleged irregularities had undermined the hopes of candidates seeking government jobs.

"I have been preparing for competitive examinations since 2023. But if an equal and fair chance is not given, how can I get a job? I urge CM Soren to listen to our demands," she said.

Archana Kumari from Palamu said the protesters would continue their agitation until the government responded to their demands and fixed responsibility for the alleged irregularities.

Support for the protest has also come from outside Ranchi, according to participants.

"The State government is still in a sleeping mode. We are getting support from across the country. People from various cities are sending food items to the protest site. We are thankful to those helping us continue our protest," said Shyam Bihari Gupta, a student from Balumath in Latehar district.

As part of the agitation, thousands of students took out a torchlight march through Ranchi in the evening. The procession began at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and concluded at Albert Ekka Chowk, where participants again demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC, JSSC-CGL, and other state recruitment examinations.

The protesters warned that they would intensify the agitation by marching to the Jharkhand Assembly and staging a gherao within the next few days if their demands remained unaddressed.

"We have been holding protests, but no government officials approached us to listen to our concerns on these issues. This clearly shows the insensitivity of this JMM-led alliance government towards the thousands of students and youths of the state," they alleged.