RANCHI: Undeterred by relentless rain, hundreds of students gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi on Wednesday before setting out on a Tiranga March to Albert Ekka Chowk, intensifying an agitation that has entered its second week over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations.The march came amid an indefinite protest by students demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations.The movement has also escalated on the hunger strike front. Alongside Devendra Nath Mahto, dubbed by protesters as “Sonam Wangchuk 2.0”, four more students have joined an indefinite fast, pressing three principal demands: cancellation of all JPSC and JSSC examinations conducted during the Hemant Soren-led JMM government’s tenure; a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities, paper leaks and delays in recruitment results instead of an investigation by the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which the students say they no longer trust; and comprehensive reforms to Jharkhand’s recruitment and competitive examination system.
As the march drew to a close, the rain intensified, but so did chants of “Jai Jharkhand”.
The Tiranga March began with chants of “Jai Jharkhand” and slogans celebrating student unity. Organisers repeatedly instructed participants to refrain from using abusive language in slogans or on placards, stressing that the protest would remain peaceful and disciplined.The emphasis on restraint reflected the students’ attempt to draw a clear distinction between their movement and political organisations. Protesters pointed out that two separate demonstrations have been taking place in Ranchi: one led by students and another believed to be backed by local MLA Jairam Singh Mahato’s party. Organisers also appeared mindful of the aftermath of the recent Jantar Mantar protest in New Delhi, where FIRs and complaints were lodged against some protesters over the use of profanities. Students said they were determined to ensure that no such controversy overshadowed their movement.Holding the Tricolour aloft and carrying what organisers described as an approximately 600-metre-long national flag, the students marched through Ranchi despite the downpour.“Our flag march represents the moral spirit of India. It highlights our constitutional rights. Look at all these students getting drenched in the rain while waving the Tricolour. This is a symbol of our unity and a symbol of our constitutional rights,” one protester said.As the march reached Albert Ekka Chowk, groups of students gathered at the intersection and continued raising slogans. Traffic disruption remained limited, largely because authorities had already closed one of the approach roads. Protesters also allowed vehicles to pass intermittently, saying they did not want to cause unnecessary inconvenience to commuters.Appealing directly to the Hemant Soren government, another protester said, “We are the children of Jharkhand. You speak about working for the indigenous and tribal communities. Please work in our interest too. Thousands of students are studying with the hope of securing jobs in their own state. We request the government to reform the JPSC and JSSC.”Several protesters contrasted the Ranchi agitation with the earlier demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, insisting that their movement had remained peaceful throughout. They also warned that any police action, including a possible lathicharge, would only intensify the agitation.“We are protesting peacefully. If the police take action against us, it will only raise questions about the government’s role because we have not indulged in any violence. Every evening we gather at our protest site and peacefully put forward our demands,” one participant said.As the march drew to a close, the rain intensified, but so did chants of “Jai Jharkhand”. Some protesters invoked the state’s historical icons while asserting that Jharkhand’s identity extended beyond sporting achievements.“Our identity is not defined by MS Dhoni. Our identity is defined by Birsa Munda, Tilka Manjhi, Shibu Soren, Binod Bihari Mahto, Bisheshwar Prasad Keshari, Sidhu and Kanhu,” a protester said.
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Meanwhile, the Hemant Soren government has constituted a committee of ministers and senior officials to initiate talks with the agitating students. State minister Rajat said complaints regarding recruitment examination irregularities were already under investigation and that the agencies concerned were working on them with urgency.The students, however, rejected the proposal for closed-door discussions. They insisted that any dialogue with the government must be conducted transparently, in the presence of the media and television cameras, arguing that only an open process would inspire confidence among the protesters.
