Ranchi (Gurpreet Singh): Students and job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations took out a massive Tricolour March in Ranchi on Independence Day, demanding systemic transparency and structural reforms across state-level recruitment processes. Organised under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, the demonstration marked the 22nd day of continuous agitation, moving from the primary sit-in site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk with thousands carrying national flags and chanting patriotic slogans. Demonstrators reiterated their call for the cancellation of disputed examination papers and demanded an independent inquiry conducted either by the Central Bureau of Investigation or an external panel of retired judges.
The protest also brought renewed focus on the condition of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for two weeks. High drama unfolded at Sadar Hospital when police personnel prevented Mahto from leaving the medical facility to join the rally, resulting in a scuffle that led the fasting leader to stage a sit-in on the hospital corridor floor in protest. Meanwhile, student representatives maintained that their struggle extends beyond individual examinations to securing equal opportunities and restoring institutional trust for upcoming generations.
Addressing the state during Independence Day proceedings, Chief Minister Hemant Soren acknowledged that public doubts regarding examinations had deeply impacted student trust, assuring that investigations into alleged malpractices would remain impartial and rigorous. The Chief Minister outlined prospective measures to reform the recruitment architecture, including the implementation of a binding annual exam calendar, technology-secured testing protocols, prompt release of answer keys, and public feedback initiatives. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also voiced deep concern over paper leaks, calling for an overhaul of shortcomings in the examination network to protect hardworking youth.
