3 weeks ago
Jharkhand govt, students hold talks on Day 14 of protest
Students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are upset because they think government job exams were not fair.
They have been peacefully protesting at a big stadium in Ranchi since July 25.
The protest is now on its 14th day, and six students are on a hunger strike, which means they have stopped eating.
The students want a special police agency called the CBI to investigate, or very senior judges from outside the state.
They also want one exam, called the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination, to be cancelled.
The state government agreed to talk with the students.
First the students chose 11 people to speak for them, but the government did not want a lawyer in that group.
So the students picked a new team made only of 10 students.
On Friday night, the students met the government at a guest house in Ranchi.
The students hope the talks succeed so they can go back to their normal lives.
The anti-exam-irregularity protest in Jharkhand entered its 14th day on Friday, August 7, with six demonstrators continuing a hunger strike.
A meeting between the students' 10-member panel and the five-member government committee began at the State Guest House in Ranchi on Friday night.
Students submitted a fresh all-student 10-member delegation after the government objected to the previous 11-member panel, which included an advocate and two technical experts.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch demands cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and an independent probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or retired high court judges from outside the state.
Nineteen people have been arrested in the irregularities case, while former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
- Who
- Students and JPSC-JSSC aspirants under the 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch', Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and a five-member government committee including ministers Sudivya Kumar, Dipika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav
- What
- A meeting between the students' 10-member delegation and the government committee to resolve demands over alleged recruitment exam irregularities, on the 14th day of the protest
- Where
- State Guest House in Ranchi, Jharkhand; the protest is at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi
- When
- Friday, August 7; talks began that night. The protest began on July 25
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations and demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC civil services exam, an independent probe, and institutional reforms
Student Protesters
Jharkhand Government
How to investigate exam irregularities
Student Protesters
Demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC civil services examination and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, plus comprehensive reforms in JPSC and JSSC.
Jharkhand Government
A CID probe is underway, with 19 arrests made and former JPSC chairman L Khiangte questioned four times; the government has not agreed to cancel the exam.
Format and venue of talks
Student Protesters
Students want Chief Minister Hemant Soren to come to the protest stage and address them publicly; hunger striker Rahul Kranti said students do not want discussions behind closed doors.
Jharkhand Government
The government invited the delegation for talks at the Chief Minister's residence and later at the State Guest House; Hemant Soren said the doors of his government were open to protesters.
Who is behind the agitation
Student Protesters
Protesters say the agitation belongs to students, has been peaceful, and that they are 'children of the state' seeking a public assurance from the Chief Minister.
Jharkhand Government
Minister Sudivya Kumar said the agitation belongs to students but the government will not allow the BJP or Jharkhand's 'coaching mafia' to hijack it.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protest began
- July 25; 14th day on August 7
- Hunger strikers
- 6 demonstrators, on strike for four days
- Student delegation
- 10-member all-student panel
- Previous delegation rejected
- 11 members (8 students, 2 technical experts, 1 advocate)
- Government committee
- 5 members, including ministers Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh
- Arrests in irregularities case
- 19 people
- Former JPSC chairman questioned
- L Khiangte, four times since July 28
Quotes
JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader
Leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch overseeing the student agitation
“We are his children and the people of the state. During elections, he visits villages and addresses the public. We are his children and the people of the state. Does he consider us terrorists that he cannot come among us? We have conducted our protest peacefully, and there has not been a single complaint that we have resorted to violence or made any bad statements.”
livemint.com
“"The meeting has been underway for an hour between the 10‑member panel of the students and the government committee to look into the issue at the State Guest House here. From the government side, four of the five panel members – Ministers Sudivya Kumar, Dipika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav are present"”
theprint.in
Gulam Hussain
Hunger‑strike protester from the student delegation
“"This agitation belongs to students and the government is ready to talk to them. If the BJP or Jharkhand’s coaching mafia wants to hijack the agitation, the government will not allow that to happen."”
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
“The Chief Minister had also initiated talks for a dialogue. But it didn't happen due to lack of coordination. It seems possible that the dialogue would happen today...”
livemint.com
Sources
Jharkhand govt, protesters’ delegation meet underway to resolve students’ issues
Jharkhand students' hunger strike: Talks today? Meet students, govt panel that'll be part of discussions
Jharkhand govt, JPSC protesters to hold talks on Day 14 of hunger strike to resolve issues
Jharkhand exam protest: Students submit fresh panel for talks with govt
Jharkhand recruitment exam protest: Students name new panel for talks with government - Telegraph India
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