Student protests against JPSC and JSSC recruitment irregularities have entered their 17th day, with activist Devendra Nath Mahto hospitalized following a nine-day hunger strike. The situation near the Jharkhand Assembly remains tense as demonstrators continue to demand major exam reforms and an independent investigation into alleged corruption.
The ongoing protests surrounding recruitment examinations in Jharkhand have escalated, marking the 17th consecutive day of unrest as student groups continue to press for administrative reforms. Devendra Nath Mahto, a prominent leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital on Monday after his health deteriorated significantly during a student march toward the Jharkhand Assembly.
Mahto, who had been observing an indefinite hunger strike for nine days, was participating in the demonstration from an ambulance when he required urgent medical attention. His hospitalization follows that of another student leader, Rahul Kranti, who was admitted to a hospital on August 7 and has reportedly continued his fast while in intensive care. The protest march, which sought to highlight long-standing grievances, turned confrontational near the assembly building as thousands of aspirants breached police barricades.
Security forces deployed water cannons, tear gas, and lathi charges to manage the crowd, resulting in injuries to both protesters and police personnel. The event has led to a significant deployment of security and the imposition of prohibitory orders around the Vidhan Sabha premises to maintain public order.
At the core of the dispute are demands for a comprehensive overhaul of the recruitment processes conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Aspirants have alleged widespread irregularities and corruption in exams held since 2019, calling for the cancellation of specific tests and an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or a panel of retired High Court judges.
Despite multiple rounds of talks between student representatives and the state government, a resolution has remained elusive. While the administration has stated that a majority of the demands have been addressed, the student unions maintain that the current measures are insufficient, leading to a continued stalemate. The protest movement has caused significant disruptions in the capital city, and the situation remains a critical administrative monitorable as both sides continue to hold their positions.