Police in Ranchi used water cannons, tear-gas shells, and baton charges to disperse students marching toward the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha on Monday [1].
The clash marks a significant escalation in tensions between the state government and youth candidates who allege systemic corruption in public service examinations.
Student protesters, led by Devendra Mahto, were attempting to reach the state assembly to demand the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level examination [2]. The demonstrators are calling for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations that examination papers were leaked [3].
Prior to the march, some students had been on a hunger strike for nine days [4]. As the crowd attempted to breach police barricades surrounding the assembly, security forces deployed water cannons and lathis to push the protesters back [1], [5].
"Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd of students marching towards Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha," a reporter said [6].
Devendra Mahto expressed concern over the safety of the participants during the unrest. "No mishap should happen there like Jantar Mantar," Mahto said [7].
The crackdown drew criticism from political figures. Rahul Gandhi said, "We oppose the use of force against peaceful students" [8].
The unrest follows a period of mounting frustration among candidates who argue that the integrity of the recruitment process has been compromised. The protesters maintain that only a federal investigation can ensure a fair outcome for the thousands of applicants affected by the alleged leak [3].
“"We oppose the use of force against peaceful students."”
The use of force against student protesters in Ranchi highlights the volatility of unemployment and recruitment scandals in Jharkhand. By demanding a CBI probe rather than a state-level inquiry, the students are signaling a complete lack of trust in local administrative oversight, suggesting that the JSSC exam row is seen as a symptom of deeper institutional failure.
