The indefinite Satyagraha by students against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations entered its third day in Ranchi on Friday, with protesters refusing to call off the agitation until the state government addresses their demands for greater transparency in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).The demonstration follows a series of controversies over alleged paper leaks, delays in examinations, questions over recruitment processes and administrative decisions that have drawn criticism from candidates over the past few years.
Students say the issue goes beyond one examination
At the protest site, many students said the recurring controversies have left them uncertain about their future. Several argued that preparing for competitive examinations has become difficult when recruitment schedules are repeatedly disrupted.Student protester Rekha Rana alleged that problems have surfaced across multiple examinations.“Be it any exam, like the JPSC or JSSC CGL, the papers are getting leaked,” she told ANI.Referring to recent developments, Rana claimed that the latest JPSC examination was also hit by controversy.“Recently, the JPSC paper was leaked; a blacklisted company was brought in to handle it, and the JPSC PT results were declared without the proper authorisation of the team members. The admit cards were distributed after the JSSC exams were held. Jharkhand’s education system is in shambles. Students are deeply frustrated and anxious about their futures, feeling as though their prospects are sinking,” she alleged.The students have linked these incidents to a larger demand for reforms, saying they want recruitment bodies to function with greater transparency.
“Transparency must be brought into the system”
Many protesters said they are not looking for symbolic action but institutional changes that restore confidence in the recruitment process.Student protester Archana Kumari said accountability should extend beyond resignations. “The JPSC and JSSC scams. You might recall that the government only took cognisance of the JPSC issue after the OMR sheet went viral, and you likely saw what happened with the JPSC Chairman subsequently,” she said.She added: “Merely resigning won’t ensure accountability; you have to be accountable. Transparency must be brought into the system. The old ways won’t work in Jharkhand anymore because the students here have become aware.”According to Kumari, students had earlier protested at Bapu Vatika in Morabadi before deciding to continue the agitation through an indefinite Satyagraha.“That is why we students have united and are protesting. This is our third day here. Our Satyagraha will continue until the government addresses our demands, demands that are in the students’ best interest,” she said.
Pressure grows on the government
As the protest entered its third day, the focus shifted to how the state government would respond to demands for reforms in recruitment examinations.Students are seeking measures to prevent paper leaks, improve transparency in recruitment processes and ensure examinations are conducted without delays or procedural lapses.The protest has also drawn political attention. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raghubar Das criticised the state government over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and questioned its handling of appointments to recruitment bodies.“The issue isn’t just about the JPSC seats. Throughout their 6.5 to 7-year tenure, jobs have been nowhere to be found. Regarding recruitment, about ten exams were conducted during this period, but none were fair. Some cases even reached the High Court and Supreme Court. Who appoints the officials to these bodies? It is the government,” Das told ANI.Comparing the current situation with his tenure, Das claimed that recruitments between 2014 and 2019 were conducted through transparent processes using reputed agencies.“The government ought to accept some accountability,” he said.
What happens next
For now, the protest remains centred on one demand: restoring trust in Jharkhand’s recruitment system.The students say they will continue their Satyagraha until the government responds. Whether the agitation results in policy changes or fresh action against alleged irregularities is likely to determine the next phase of the recruitment debate in the state.(with ANI inputs)
