Job aspirants in Ranchi clashed with police Monday during a march toward the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha to protest alleged exam paper leaks [1, 2].
The unrest highlights growing frustration among students over recruitment irregularities in the state. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of disputed examinations and a formal investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation [3, 4].
Led by student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, the group marched toward the state Assembly building. Protesters breached police barricades, leading security forces to respond with lathi-charge and water-cannon fire [1, 2]. Some reports indicate that police also used tear-gas shells to control the crowd [4].
The students targeted the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Subordinate Service Commission (JSSC) examinations. They allege that irregularities and paper leaks have compromised the integrity of the recruitment process [3, 4].
Before the march began, student protesters said the movement would be peaceful and constitutional [2]. Devendra Nath Mahto said, "No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar" [2].
As the situation escalated, other student leaders called for calm. Ravindra Paswan said, "We urge a peaceful protest and restraint from all sides" [4].
Reports on the scale of the breach varied. Some sources said a majority of the protesters reached the vicinity of the Vidhan Sabha [3], while others reported that students were being dispersed before they could reach the Assembly gate [1].
“"No 'mishap' should happen there like Jantar Mantar."”
The protests signal a deepening crisis of confidence in Jharkhand's state recruitment commissions. By demanding a CBI probe rather than a state-level inquiry, students are explicitly rejecting the oversight of local authorities, suggesting they believe the alleged irregularities may be systemic or protected by state officials.
