3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Police Lathi-Charge Job Aspirants During Vidhan Sabha Gherao March
Many students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are upset about government job exams.
They think the exams were not fair because question papers were leaked, so they want a special detective team called the CBI to investigate.
Hundreds of students marched to the state assembly building, called the Vidhan Sabha, to complain.
The police tried to stop them with water cannons, tear gas, and sticks, and some students got hurt.
A protest leader named Devendra Nath Mahto has not eaten for nine days and joined the march in an ambulance because he is weak.
He carried a picture of a former chief minister named Shibu Soren.
The police have also arrested the former head of the exam commission and 19 other people.
The government says it has already solved most of the problems but blames a political party for making trouble.
The government cancelled some exams but says it cannot cancel one big exam, called the JSSC-CGL, because the courts are watching over it.
The students say they will keep protesting until the CBI investigates and their exams are cancelled.
Jharkhand Police lathi-charged job aspirants and used water cannons and tear gas during a 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march in Ranchi on Monday, August 10, 2026, injuring several protesters.
The 17-day-old agitation demands a CBI probe into alleged paper leaks and irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams and cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
Former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte was arrested by the state CID, taking the total arrests in the case to 20.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, on a nine-day hunger strike during which he lost 10.5 kilograms, joined the march in an ambulance carrying a portrait of former chief minister Shibu Soren.
The government, which cancelled three exams and agreed to an ED probe, refused to cancel JSSC-CGL citing judicial monitoring and accused the BJP of hijacking the protest.
- Who
- Job aspirants and protesters led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand Police, and the Jharkhand government under Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
- What
- Police lathi-charged, used water cannons and fired tear gas during a 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, along the route from the old Assembly complex in Dhurwa to the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha.
- When
- Monday, August 10, 2026, the 17th day of the agitation, coinciding with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's 51st birthday.
- Why
- Protesters demand a CBI probe into alleged paper leaks and irregularities, cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and other exams, and recruitment reforms; the government has refused to cancel JSSC-CGL.
Student Protesters
Jharkhand Government
Investigation agency
Student Protesters
Protesters insist on a CBI probe into the alleged exam irregularities; JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said they 'will not compromise' until this demand is fulfilled.
Jharkhand Government
The government has assured an investigation by the state police's CID and proposed a high-level judicial inquiry headed by a retired judge.
Handling of the protest
Student Protesters
Protesters say they were marching peacefully; Piyush Kumar Soni called the baton charge 'barbaric', the BJP Yuva Morcha called it 'a black day for democracy', and Rahul Gandhi said using force against students is wrong.
Jharkhand Government
Police acted after protesters breached multiple barricades near the Assembly; state minister Sudivya Kumar alleged the BJP had 'hijacked' the protest and said 95 per cent of demands were fulfilled.
Cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam
Student Protesters
Protesters demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, which the government has not accepted.
Jharkhand Government
The government refused to cancel the exam, saying it was conducted under the monitoring of the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court; it agreed to cancel three other examinations and to an ED probe.
Key facts
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
- Date
- Monday, August 10, 2026; 17th day of agitation and Hemant Soren's 51st birthday
- Exams in question
- JPSC (14th Civil Services Preliminary Test held April 19) and JSSC-CGL recruitment exams
- Key demands
- CBI probe, cancellation of JSSC-CGL and other exams, comprehensive recruitment reforms
- Arrests
- 20 persons arrested, including former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte; all three JPSC members resigned
- Police action
- Lathi charge, water cannons, tear gas shells; over 1,500 personnel deployed; prohibitory orders imposed
- Government response
- Cancelled three exams, agreed to ED probe, refused to cancel JSSC-CGL citing Supreme Court and High Court monitoring
- Protest leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto, JLKM leader, on nine-day hunger strike, lost 10.5 kg
Quotes
Devendra Nath Mahto
JLKM leader and nine‑day faster
“We are protesting peacefully, and we urge everyone to help us maintain that peace. We are raising the voice of lakhs of students who are fighting for their dreams and careers... My health is failing”
firstpost.com
“Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not even hurl any abuses. Suddenly, the police launched a lathi charge. This is not good.”
republicworld.com
JLKM MLA Jairam Mahto
Member of Legislative Assembly
“We were protesting peacefully; why is the police trying to restrain them? They are not carrying lathis in their hands.”
telegraphindia.com
Protesting Girl
Female protester during the assembly protest
“There is not a single woman in their administration, yet they are brutally assaulting people and behaving like government stooges. The Jharkhand government speaks of the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’, but its machinery is busy assaulting mothers and sisters on the streets. Such officials should wear black uniforms as a symbol of their shameful conduct.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Jharkhand recruitment exam protest: Job aspirants defy barricades, stage sit-in near Assembly
Jharkhand protesters breach Assembly barricades, police push back with tear gas, lathis, water cannons
Barbed wire fences, angry students: What Express saw at Jharkhand protest
Jharkhand Protest: Police lathi-charge students during ‘Vidhan Sabha gherao’ march
Job Aspirants Reach Jharkhand Assembly, Police Use Lathi Charge To Disperse Protesters
Jharkhand protesters enter assembly premises, brave lathicharge, tear gas CID arrests ex-JPSC chief
Jharkhand: Protesters injured as police lathi-charge, fire tear gas during march to Assembly
Jharkhand Police Resort to Lathi Charge During 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' March Against Exam Irregularities
Related news
Jharkhand Police Lathicharge Exam Aspirants During Ranchi Assembly Protest
Jharkhand job aspirants face water cannons, baton-charge in assembly march
Jharkhand Students March on Assembly Over Exam Irregularities
Jharkhand police file FIR against 600 protesters over Assembly march
Jharkhand exam stir enters 20th day, aspirants refuse to relent
Jharkhand Students Allege Brutal Lathi Charge During Assembly March
Jharkhand High Court Orders CID Probe into Teacher Recruitment Scam
SSC Revises Stenographer 2026 Dates, Releases Exam City Slips
Jharkhand High Court Transfers Exam Cancellation Plea
Jharkhand CID Arrests Ninth Suspect in JSSC-CGL Irregularities Case
Parliamentary panel urges timely filling of ITAT vacancies
