Overview
- The student-led sit-in at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium began on July 25 and has grown into a sustained agitation demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, an independent probe and broad reforms of JPSC and JSSC.
- Leader Devendra Nath Mahto began an indefinite hunger strike on August 2 and five others joined, leaving six fasting protestors with one, Rahul Kranti, taken to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his condition worsened on August 7.
- Protesters named an 11-member delegation to hold talks but the state objected to inclusion of a journalist, lawyer and experts and asked for a revised, student-only list, leaving formal negotiations pending.
- The CID/SIT investigation has moved ahead with raids, questioning of former JPSC chair L. Khiangte and about 19 arrests reported so far while students press for a CBI or retired high-court-judge inquiry and release of OMR and response sheets.
- Political pressure has mounted inside the Monsoon Assembly where opposition MLAs raised the issue, the BJP is demanding a CBI probe, Congress leaders have spoken with protesters and authorities have imposed prohibitory orders near the Vidhan Sabha ahead of planned marches.