Ranchi (Rajeev Sharma): The standoff between student protesters and the Jharkhand government continues as the agitation by JPSC-JSSC aspirants entered its 24th day on Monday, with several students still maintaining an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Among those observing the fast is student protester Prem Nayak. Four protesters are currently on hunger strike as the aspirants press the state government to address their pending demands.
The latest development comes ahead of another round of discussions between representatives of the protesting students and the state government. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, with the students hoping for concrete assurances from the authorities.
Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the protesters were ready to engage with the government but wanted Chief Minister Hemant Soren to personally participate in the discussions. He maintained that the students would not withdraw or dilute their demands merely to end the ongoing agitation.
Paswan said the prolonged nature of the protest reflected the students’ dissatisfaction with the government’s response. He also referred to the August 10 demonstration, claiming that the administration began showing greater interest in talks only several days after the protest.
The student leader has given the government time until August 18 to resolve the issues raised by the protesters. He warned that if their demands remain unaddressed, the movement could be expanded, with a larger mobilisation planned around the Chief Minister’s residence.
For now, the students remain at the protest site, while the upcoming government-student meeting is being viewed as a crucial opportunity to find a way forward and prevent further escalation of the agitation.
