Students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities staged a gherao of the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi on Sunday [1].
The demonstrations highlight growing public anger over transparency in state competitive exams, as aspirants demand accountability for suspected systemic corruption.
Protesters targeted the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The group alleges that paper leaks and other irregularities compromised the integrity of the recruitment process [3]. These demonstrations have persisted for 16 days [3].
Police responded to the march on Aug. 9 with water cannons and lathi-charges to prevent the crowd from encircling the state assembly [1], [2]. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto joined the march while carrying a portrait of political figure Shibu Soren [1].
Mahto expressed concern over the potential for violence during the escalation. "No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar," Mahto said [2].
The unrest follows a period of internal instability within the commission. Three JPSC members have resigned amid the ongoing controversy [3].
A spokesperson for the Jharkhand government said the administration has ordered a probe into the alleged paper leak in the JPSC-JSSC exams [3]. Some protesters have also held a hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium [3].
“"No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar."”
The resignation of three commission members and the government's order for a probe suggest an admission of institutional failure. The escalation to a Vidhan Sabha gherao indicates that students no longer trust standard administrative appeals, shifting their strategy toward direct political pressure on the state leadership.
