The student protest over alleged examination irregularities in Jharkhand intensified on Thursday as it entered its 13th day, with demonstrators now demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Students on hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi accused the state government of failing to address their concerns and claimed that Soren was “unfit to hold office.”
“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 told ANI.
Another protester questioned the chief minister’s accountability, saying, “This is not Delhi, this is Jharkhand. Students have clearly presented their issues. If Dharmendra Pradhan can resign, why can’t Hemant Soren resign?”
Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union Education Minister last month, following weeks of protests over the alleged NEET-UG exam irregularities.
Student Zaid also appealed to the state government and the chief minister to address their demands. “I request the honourable government and Chief Minister Hemant Soren to fulfil our requirements and listen to our concerns so that students do not have to face such problems in the future,” he said.
Protesters said they were forced to intensify their agitation after repeated appeals to the government failed to result in concrete action.
“Our five friends, including two women, have joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and push for our demands,” said JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar.
One of the fasting protesters, Sabita Kumari, alleged that the government had ignored students’ concerns, leaving them with no option but to intensify their protest.
Another protester, Habiba, made an emotional appeal to Chief Minister Soren, saying, “The chief minister is like our guardian. When children remain hungry, a guardian also feels pain. We want action and justice, not just assurances.”
Jharkhand Student Protest
The protest, organised under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, began on July 25 at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and has emerged as one of the largest student-led movements in the state in recent years.
The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the recruitment process. They have sought a probe either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a committee of retired high court judges from outside the state.
What CM Soren Said
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said that paper leaks are a national issue and has offered talks to resolve the deadlock. However, students have continued their agitation, demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The protest escalated further after student unions announced plans to gherao the state Assembly on August 7 and 10. In response, authorities imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Assembly building from August 6 to August 12, between 6 am and 10 pm.
Meanwhile, five protesters, including two women, joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto in a hunger strike. Mahto has been fasting for the past five days, with his health reportedly deteriorating after a drop in blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently observed a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue, spoke to Mahto over the phone and urged him to drink water to protect his health. Following Wangchuk’s appeal, Mahto ended his water strike.
