Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Jharkhand police file FIR against 600 protesters over Assembly march
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many young people were upset because they believed something was wrong with the exams used to hire government workers.
They started sitting together to protest, and their protest has lasted many days.
On a Monday, thousands of them walked to the state Assembly building to make their complaint heard.
Police stopped them using loud sounds, water from big hoses, and sticks, and some people got hurt.
The police later filed a big complaint against the protesters, and newspapers gave different numbers of how many people were named in it.
The protesters want some of the exams cancelled and a fair investigation by big agencies like the CBI.
The government agreed to cancel three exams but would not cancel one important exam, saying judges had watched over it.
Many meetings between the two sides have not solved the problem.
Both the protesters and the police say the other side behaved badly during the march.
Jharkhand Police filed an FIR over the August 10 march to the state Assembly, naming 100 protesters and booking 500 unidentified people, though another report cited 300 unidentified persons.
Thousands of JPSC and JSSC job aspirants marched to protest alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations.
Police used tear gas, water cannons and baton charges after protesters tried to cross barricades; both sides traded accusations and several people were injured.
The protest, which began on July 25, was in its 20th day, and six rounds of talks with the government had failed to resolve the deadlock.
The government cancelled three exams but refused to scrap the JSSC Combined Graduate Level test, citing Supreme Court and High Court monitoring; the BJP criticised the FIR.
- Who
- Job aspirants associated with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, Jharkhand Police, and the state government; the BJP also criticised the police action.
- What
- Police lodged an FIR against protesters who marched on the Assembly demanding action over alleged recruitment exam irregularities; tear gas, water cannons and baton charges were used to disperse them.
- When
- FIR registered on Thursday, August 13; the march took place on Monday, August 10; protests have been ongoing since July 25.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand — including the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and the Jharkhand Assembly.
- Why
- Protesters allege irregularities in state recruitment exams and demand cancelled tests and an independent probe; police cite violence, property damage and law-and-order violations.
Protesters and Opposition
Police and Government
Police action at the Assembly march
Protesters and Opposition
Protesters say police used excessive force — tear gas, water cannons and baton charges — against job aspirants who gathered peacefully to seek answers over recruitment issues.
Police and Government
Police say protesters turned violent, pelted stones, attacked personnel, breached barricades and damaged government property.
Cancellation of the JSSC Combined Graduate Level exam
Protesters and Opposition
Students demand the JSSC-CGL exam be cancelled and that the CBI investigate all state recruitment commission tests.
Police and Government
The government refuses, saying the exam was conducted under monitoring by the Supreme Court and Jharkhand High Court, and instead proposes a judicial inquiry headed by a retired judge.
FIR against the protesters
Protesters and Opposition
The BJP says the FIR against 600 young aspirants can destroy careers and shows the 'true colours' of the JMM-Congress government.
Police and Government
Police say the FIR targets those who disrupted a peaceful march, attacked police personnel and damaged property.
- FIR details
- 100 named protesters and 500 unidentified booked (one report); another report cites FIR against 300 unidentified persons
- FIR registered
- Thursday, August 13
- Assembly march
- Monday, August 10, by thousands of JPSC and JSSC aspirants
- Protest began
- July 25; in its 20th day at the time of reporting
- Protest site
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Student demands
- Cancellation of JPSC and JSSC exams, CBI/ED inquiry, and a probe by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand
- Government concessions
- Agreed to cancel three exams including JPSC Combined Civil Services; refused JSSC Combined Graduate Level cancellation
- Talks held
- Six rounds of talks; none resolved the deadlock
