2 weeks ago
Jharkhand Students to Gherao CM Soren's Residence Over Exam Irregularities
Students in a state called Jharkhand, in India, are upset because they believe some government job exams were not fair.
They have been protesting together for over three weeks.
On India's Independence Day, they walked through the city of Ranchi while carrying the Indian flag.
They plan to gather outside the Chief Minister's house on August 20 and stay until he agrees to their demands.
They even want the Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, to quit his job.
They said they would burn pretend figures of the Chief Minister and of leader Rahul Gandhi to show how angry they are.
The students want the government to cancel the exams they think were dishonest and to let an outside team investigate.
The Chief Minister said the exams would be checked fairly and that nobody should be called a cheater without proof.
He promised new rules to make future exams more transparent and secure.
Some other leaders are asking the government to listen to the students and order an independent investigation.
Student protesters marked the 22nd day of their agitation with a 'Tiranga Yatra' in Ranchi on Independence Day (August 15, 2026).
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch announced a gherao of Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence on August 20, demanding his resignation.
Protesters said they would burn effigies of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi across all 24 districts of Jharkhand on Sunday.
Their demands include cancelling the JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC examinations (including the 14th JPSC) and a CBI probe or inquiry by retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
CM Soren assured an impartial investigation and announced systemic exam reforms, while cautioning against declaring anyone guilty without evidence.
- Who
- Students and job aspirants in Jharkhand led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, protesting against Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the ruling JMM-Congress coalition.
- What
- An Independence Day Tiranga Yatra, plans to burn effigies of Hemant Soren and Rahul Gandhi, and a threatened gherao of the CM's residence on August 20 demanding his resignation, cancellation of exams with alleged irregularities, and an independent probe.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India (Tiranga Yatra from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk); effigies to be burnt across all 24 districts of Jharkhand.
- When
- August 15, 2026 (Independence Day), the 22nd day of the protest; the stir was reported in its 23rd day on Sunday, August 16; the gherao is planned for August 20.
- Why
- Alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL and JPSC recruitment examinations and demands for greater transparency and reforms in the recruitment system.
Protesters (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch) and Opposition
State Government (JMM-Congress Alliance)
Chief Minister's resignation
Protesters (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch) and Opposition
Protesters demand Hemant Soren's resignation, accusing the JMM and Congress of playing politics with students.
State Government (JMM-Congress Alliance)
The CM has not offered to resign; he assures an impartial investigation and says no one should be declared guilty without evidence.
CBI probe into exam irregularities
Protesters (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch) and Opposition
Protesters and BJP leaders Champai Soren and Babulal Marandi demand a CBI investigation or an inquiry by retired judges from outside Jharkhand; Champai Soren accused the government of running a 'despotic government' and of reluctance to order a probe.
State Government (JMM-Congress Alliance)
The government has not recommended a CBI probe; the Congress said it will discuss examination reforms at a party meeting on August 18.
Cancellation of examinations
Protesters (JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch) and Opposition
Protesters demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC examinations in which irregularities were allegedly found.
State Government (JMM-Congress Alliance)
The government announced systemic reforms instead, including a time-bound annual exam calendar, technology-secured exams, timely publication of answer keys and multi-level accountability.
Key facts
- Protest Day
- 22nd day on August 15, 2026 (Independence Day)
- Planned Gherao
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence, August 20
- Effigy Burning
- Across all 24 districts of Jharkhand on Sunday
- Key Demand
- Resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren
- Exams Targeted
- JSSC-CGL and certain JPSC examinations, including the 14th JPSC
- Probe Demanded
- CBI investigation or panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand
- Whistleblower Demand
- Revocation of the suspension of finance section officer Santosh Kumar Mastana and withdrawal of cases against him
- Government Response
- Impartial investigation, strict legal action, time-bound annual exam calendar, technology-secured exams, timely answer keys, multi-level accountability
Quotes
Press Trust of India
News agency reporting student protest
“We will gherao the chief minister's residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us. We also demand that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM‑led coalition if the CM is not listening to him.”
NDTV
theprint.in
freepressjournal.in
rediff.com
“In his Independence Day address, chief minister Soren said, “controversies surrounding recruitment examinations have shaken the confidence of an entire generation of job aspirants.””
freepressjournal.in
Sources
Jharkhand Protestors Announce Gherao Of Hemant Soren's House On August 20
J”khand exam stir: Students take out Tiranga Yatra, announce gherao of CM”s residence on Aug 20
Jharkhand Students To Burn Effigies Of Rahul Gandhi, Hemant Soren Today; CM House Gherao From Aug 20 | VIDEO
Jharkhand exam stir: Students plan CM residence gherao on Aug 30
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