Jharkhand students' stir: 5 protesters join indefinite fast as Soren govt calls for talks

The students’ protest in Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium against exam paper leak has intensified into a massive movement with five protesters joining an indefinite hunger strike, even as the Hemant Soren government reached out to them for talks.

Student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on an indefinite fast for the past five days, on Thursday (August 6), said that the protesters will choose and name their representatives for talks.

The protesters had earlier refused any proposition of closed-door talks with government representatives, asserting that they will participate in negotiations if they were held in public view and in front of the media and cameras.

Demands of protesters

The protest, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms, has emerged as one of the biggest student-led movements in the state in recent years.

Also read: Sonam Wangchuk backs Jharkhand students as Mahato's hunger strike enters day four

The demonstrators are demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment test either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.

They also stressed comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

5 join Mahato in hunger strike

Ahead of the monsoon session of the state Assembly, set to begin on Thursday, five protesters, including two women, joined Mahto in his indefinite hunger strike. Mahto's health became a matter of concern after his blood sugar and pressure levels dropped significantly.

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 at least drink water to safeguard his health. Following Wangchuk's appeal, Mahto agreed to end his complete fast by drinking water while continuing his indefinite protest.

The protesters said they had been forced to adopt the extreme form of agitation after repeated appeals to the government "failed" to produce any concrete action.

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"Our five friends, including two women, have joined the hunger strike to strengthen the movement and press for our demands," JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar told PTI.

Soren govt invites students for talks

As the agitation gained momentum, the state administration initiated efforts to break the deadlock through dialogue.

The government has formed a committee comprising ministers and officials to hold negotiations with students.

Ranchi Sub-Divisional Officer Kumar Rajat and Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar visited the protest site and invited a five-member delegation of students for discussions at the chief minister’s residence.

"The students have sought some time to deliberate on the proposal," the SDO said.

“We demand talks be held in public, or there should be a live telecast instead of a closed-door meeting," student leader Ravindra Paswan told PTI.

Another student leader Prem Sagar said, "As our chief minister promotes 'Sarkar Aapke Dwar (government at your doorsteps)', we demand that the chief minister come to the protest site."

Concerns being treated with utmost seriousness: CM

Soren acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, describing recruitment "paper leaks" as "not merely a Jharkhand issue but a major national problem affecting the youth across the country".

In a post on X, Soren said the concerns raised by the students were being treated with utmost seriousness by his government.

Also read: Centre tells SC it's committed not to take action against students over NEET protests

He asserted that probe agencies were working round the clock and those responsible for the alleged irregularities were being sent to jail.

"Our objective is not just to investigate but to provide a permanent solution to students' concerns," the chief minister said, adding that the doors of the state government remained open for them to present their demands and suggestions.

He assured that every point would be examined carefully and a concrete solution would be announced soon.

Earlier on Wednesday, Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and briefed him on the ongoing protest as well as the progress of the investigation.

CID makes fresh arrests

Meanwhile, the CID has intensified its probe into the alleged recruitment scam with five more people being arrested on Wednesday, taking the tally to 20.

Among the five is Rakshak Singh, an accountant with TDPL, the agency that conducted the examination. Singh was arrested in Lucknow and brought to Ranchi.

Also read: How India's new anti-paper leak law can improve its exam structure

The agency has also raided 18 locations in Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad.

All eyes on Assembly gherao

Amid mounting pressure, the JPSC had earlier postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, originally scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances." In view of student unions' proposed assembly gherao on August 7 and 10, a prohibitory order has been promulgated within a 750-metre radius of the assembly from August 6 to 12, from 6 am to 10 pm.

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Radhakrishna Kishore announced that a committee comprising ministers - Dipika Pandey Singh, Sudivya Kumar, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Kumar Prasad - will keep an eye on protests.