Student protesters in Ranchi breached police barricades on Monday to march toward the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha demanding a CBI investigation into job scams [1].
The unrest highlights growing frustration over alleged irregularities in the state's competitive examinations, which determine access to critical government employment for thousands of graduates.
Protesters targeted the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), alleging paper leaks and systemic scams [1, 3]. The march toward the state Assembly escalated as students broke through security lines, prompting police to respond with lathi charges, water cannons, and tear gas [1, 2].
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto joined the march in an ambulance after fasting for nine days [4]. Mahto said, "No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar" [5].
The police detentions extended beyond student organizers. Several BJP leaders, including Babulal Marandi, were also detained during the unrest [1, 2]. Some protesters said they were marching peacefully, though police reports describe the breach of barricades as a volatile confrontation [1, 2].
Demonstrators also gathered near the residence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren to voice their grievances [2]. The students maintain that only a federal probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation can ensure a fair resolution to the alleged exam irregularities [3].
“"No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar."”
The escalation of these protests reflects a deepening crisis of trust in Jharkhand's state-run recruitment processes. By demanding a CBI probe rather than a state-led inquiry, students are signaling that they view the current administration as unable or unwilling to hold officials accountable for exam leaks. The detention of opposition leaders alongside students suggests the job scam has evolved from a student grievance into a broader political flashpoint.
