Jharkhand police used lathi charges and water cannons against student protesters marching toward the Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi on Monday [1, 2].
The clash highlights growing unrest among government job seekers who allege systemic corruption in the state's recruitment processes. The students are demanding accountability for exam irregularities that they said have compromised their professional futures.
Thousands of JPSC-JSSC aspirants participated in the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march [1]. The protesters sought to surround the Jharkhand Assembly to bring attention to alleged paper leaks and irregularities within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) [1, 2].
During the demonstration, protesters broke through police barricades as they attempted to reach the legislative building [1]. Police responded with force to disperse the crowds, utilizing both batons and water cannons to push the students back from the assembly gates [1, 2].
Fasting activist Mahto also joined the students during the mobilization [1]. The movement has intensified as students call for a complete overhaul of the examination system to prevent future leaks.
Concurrent with the street protests, the Enforcement Directorate has filed a case into the JPSC irregularities [2]. This legal action indicates that the allegations of corruption have moved beyond student grievances and into the realm of federal financial and criminal investigation [2].
The students continue to demand transparent investigations, and the cancellation of compromised exams, to ensure a fair selection process for all candidates [1, 2].
“Police used lathi charges and water cannons on the protesters during a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march”
The escalation from peaceful protests to violent clashes in Ranchi reflects a deep crisis of trust in Jharkhand's public administration. By combining street demonstrations with a formal Enforcement Directorate investigation, the situation has shifted from a localized student grievance to a broader legal battle over state-level corruption and the integrity of civil service recruitment.
