Why students from Jantar Mantar to Jharkhand are angry with the government

Students in Ranchi, Jharkhand, have been protesting for nearly a week.

In Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, students have been protesting for nearly a week. They demand that alleged irregularities in several recruitment exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The movement gained further momentum when the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which led the nationwide protest against the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, extended its support to the students. The protesting students are currently stationed at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

The main demand of the protesting students is a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. The students assert that only an independent central agency can ensure a fair investigation into the matter. They are also demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of exams where irregularities are alleged, particularly the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Additionally, the students seek strict action against the recruitment agencies and officials accused of tampering with the examination process and OMR sheets. They are calling for comprehensive reforms in the recruitment system of JPSC and JSSC to enhance transparency and accountability in exams and prevent future controversies.

The movement is being led by student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who began an indefinite hunger strike on Sunday night. He stated that the students have exhausted all other democratic avenues of protest. According to Mahto, the students have been raising this issue since early July. They met with the Governor, submitted evidence of alleged irregularities to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, held protests, and even organized a constitutional march. Despite these efforts, no concrete action has been taken on their demands so far.

On social media, Mahto stated,

"This movement is not for any one individual, but for the future of millions of hardworking youths in Jharkhand." He also appealed to the protesters to keep the movement peaceful and constitutional.

The primary reason behind this movement is the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination. Allegations of serious irregularities in this exam have surfaced. The issue escalated when the state's Crime Investigation Department (CID) began investigating the recruitment process. Former JPSC Chairman L. Khiangte resigned from his position on July 22. The very next day, the CID conducted searches at several locations, including his official residence.

Subsequent developments have been significant. The CID has interrogated Khiangte multiple times, with an eight-hour questioning session on Friday, July 31. So far, 11 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities. Additionally, a candidate who passed the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination has also been arrested. JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Main Examination, scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances." The CID investigation is ongoing.

With the support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), the student movement in Jharkhand has gained further strength. CJP founder Abhijit Deepke stated that he spoke with student leaders via video call and supported their demand for an independent investigation. Following CJP's support, the ongoing movement in Jharkhand has once again garnered national attention.

The opposition BJP has intensified its attack on the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led state government over this issue. The BJP is also demanding a CBI investigation and accusing the government of failing to protect the interests of job-seeking youths. Union Minister Annapurna Devi alleged that the responsibility of conducting recruitment exams was given to blacklisted companies. She also accused the Congress of adopting a "double standard" on issues related to the exams. BJP MPs Sanjay Seth and Nishikant Dubey have also demanded a CBI investigation, stating that the current CID investigation is insufficient.

Jharkhand BJP MPs have protested outside Parliament, demanding a CBI investigation into the alleged JPSC paper leak.

However, the protesting students assert that their movement is entirely non-political. They have opposed allowing political parties to use the platform of the movement. The indefinite hunger strike continues, with support for the movement coming from outside Jharkhand, and political pressure on the state government is mounting.

Thus, the student movement has reached a critical juncture. While the state's CID is investigating the matter, the students remain firm on their demands for a CBI investigation and the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination. The future course of the movement largely depends on the decisions the Jharkhand government makes regarding these demands.