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Jharkhand Students Intensify Protest Over State Exam Irregularities

Talks are deadlocked as hunger strikes and hospitalisations continue, raising pressure on the state to accept a central probe or major recruitment reforms.

Overview

  • The agitation began around July 25 and entered its 19th day on Wednesday, August 12, with protesters vowing to escalate until their two core demands are met.
  • Students demand cancellation of specific tests including the JSSC‑CGL, and an independent probe by the CBI or an out‑of‑state retired‑judge panel to restore trust in JPSC and JSSC recruitments.
  • A march to the state assembly on August 10 saw police use batons, water cannon and tear gas, producing injuries on both sides and prompting political backlash across parties.
  • The Hemant Soren government has pledged to cancel the 14th JPSC exam, proposed a high‑level retired‑judge committee, solicited over 8,500 public suggestions for reforms and pointed to a CID probe and arrests as action taken so far.
  • Health and political stakes have risen as six protesters remain on indefinite hunger strike with some hospitalised, opposition leaders accuse the administration of intimidation, and the dispute risks widening into a broader mass movement or continued polarisation ahead of court and investigative outcomes.