3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Job Protest Enters Day 19, Deadlock Persists
In a place called Jharkhand in India, many young people want government jobs, which help them build a good life.
To get those jobs, they have to pass exams, but the students think the exams were not fair.
So they are protesting, and the protest has now lasted 19 days.
The students want some exams to be cancelled and want an independent team to investigate what went wrong.
During a march, police used water, tear gas, and sticks, and some people on both sides got hurt.
A few protesters have stopped eating to show how serious they are, and four of them are in the hospital but are reported to be doing okay.
The leader of the state, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, promised to cancel one exam and fix the system.
The students also want another exam cancelled, but the government says that would be unfair to people who already got jobs from it.
A big political group called the BJP closed shops and roads for a day to support the students.
The government and the students have talked many times but have not agreed yet, and everyone hopes the protest ends peacefully.
Job aspirants in Jharkhand marked the 19th day of protests on Wednesday, vowing to intensify the agitation over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations.
Protesters demand cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination and an independent CBI probe into disputed JPSC and JSSC exams, but the government has rejected both demands.
The government argues cancelling the JSSC-CGL exam is impractical because more than 2,000 appointments were made after court orders, and has proposed a retired-judge committee instead of a CBI probe.
Police clashes on Monday involved a lathi-charge, water cannons, and tear gas, with Ranchi Police reporting 14 personnel injured and protesters alleging student injuries.
Six protesters are on an indefinite hunger strike, with four receiving treatment at Ranchi Sadar Hospital and reported stable; the sixth round of talks failed and Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the 14th JPSC examination would be cancelled.
- Who
- Job aspirants under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch and Jharkhand Chhatra Nyay, supported by the BJP and ABVP, protesting against the Hemant Soren-led JMM government and Ranchi Police.
- What
- A 19-day agitation demanding cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination, transparency in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams, and an independent CBI or judicial probe into alleged irregularities.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India, with protests and marches centered in Ranchi.
- When
- The protest entered its 19th day on Wednesday, August 12, 2026; police clashes occurred on Monday, August 10, and the BJP statewide bandh was held on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
- Why
- Job aspirants allege irregularities in state recruitment examinations and demand accountability, an independent probe, and cancellation of disputed tests.
Protesters & Opposition
Soren Government & Police
Probe into Exam Irregularities
Protesters & Opposition
Protesters and the BJP demand an independent CBI probe or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, and questioned the intentions of government officials visiting the dharna site around midnight.
Soren Government & Police
Chief Minister Hemant Soren says the government is committed to reforming the examination system, proposed a high-level committee headed by a retired judge, and accused the BJP of turning the students' agitation into a political platform.
Cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL Examination
Protesters & Opposition
Protesters demand cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination, through which more than 2,000 appointments were already made.
Soren Government & Police
The government says cancelling the examination at this stage is impractical because the recruitment process proceeded only after court orders cleared the way for the appointments.
Police Action on Monday
Protesters & Opposition
Jharkhand Chhatra Nyay announced a one-day hunger strike and black armband protest to condemn the lathi-charge, and demonstrators alleged that several students sustained injuries.
Soren Government & Police
Ranchi Police said 14 of its personnel were injured in the clashes and defended the use of water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Key facts
- Location
- Jharkhand, India (protests centered in Ranchi)
- Duration
- 19 days as of Wednesday, August 12, 2026
- Protest umbrella
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch
- Key demands
- Cancellation of the 2024 JSSC-CGL examination; CBI probe into all disputed JPSC and JSSC exams; transparency in recruitment
- Government response
- 14th JPSC examination to be cancelled; proposed committee headed by a retired judge; six rounds of talks have failed
- Hunger strikers
- 6 on indefinite fast; 4 in hospital (Habiba, Rahul Kranti, Devendra Nath Mahto, Mahendra Pratap), all stable
- Police action
- Lathi-charge, water cannons, tear gas on Monday; Ranchi Police said 14 personnel injured
- Political fallout
- BJP statewide bandh on Tuesday; state assembly adjourned sine die a day early
Quotes
Deputy superintendent of Sadar Hospital
Hospital official overseeing treatment of protesters
“"I am urging students not to risk their lives by sitting on a hunger strike. The government has already constituted a team, dialogues have been held, and more will be held."”
NDTV
“"The health condition of all four students is stable. Check-ups and regular monitoring of their health are being done periodically."”
NDTV
Sources
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