3 weeks ago
Jharkhand exam protest enters 18th day; BJP bandh, ABVP march
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, many students are upset because they believe the tests people take to get government jobs were not fair.
They have been protesting for 18 days to complain about this.
Some students have even stopped eating in protest, and two of them got sick and had to go to the hospital.
The police used water cannons and sticks to stop students from walking to the state assembly building.
One big political group, the BJP, asked shops and offices to stay closed for a whole day to support the students.
Another student group marched to the assembly, but police stopped many of its members.
The state's leaders talked with the students many times, but they could not agree.
The government says it already agreed to most of what the students want, but the students say that is not true.
Police have arrested 20 people, including the former head of the commission that runs the exams.
The argument is still going on, and no one has solved it yet.
Student protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams entered their 18th day on Tuesday, with the BJP observing a state-wide bandh.
ABVP organised a march to the state assembly in Ranchi, and several of its workers were detained by police.
Police used water cannons, lathi-charges and tear gas against marchers the previous day, with several protesters claiming injuries while Ranchi police said 14 policemen were hurt.
The ED launched a money laundering probe into the 'anomalies', and the CID's arrest of former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte took the total number of arrests to 20.
The sixth round of talks failed as the government said it had conceded 98% of demands, a claim students disputed while sticking to their demands for probe by CBI or retired high court judges.
The government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC exam and 2023/2025 backlog exams but said the court-monitored JSSC-CGL exam could not be cancelled.
- Who
- Students and job aspirants in Jharkhand, the BJP, the ABVP, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Congress-led opposition including Rahul Gandhi, the ED and the Jharkhand CID.
- What
- Ongoing protests over alleged recruitment exam irregularities, including a state-wide bandh, a march to the state assembly, police action, arrests and failed negotiation rounds.
- Where
- Jharkhand state, primarily in Ranchi near the state assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
- When
- Since July 25; the protests entered their 18th day on Tuesday, when the BJP-led bandh was held.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams and demand transparency, cancellation of several exams and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
Protesting students and opposition
Jharkhand government and ruling coalition
Police use of force
Protesting students and opposition
Peaceful protests should not be met with violence; police used water cannons, lathi-charges and tear gas against marchers, and several protesters claimed injuries.
Jharkhand government and ruling coalition
Police acted to prevent a forcible march to the assembly, and Ranchi police said 14 policemen were injured during the protests.
Progress in talks
Protesting students and opposition
The government's claim of conceding 98% of demands is not true; students stuck to their demands and accused the government of not being serious.
Jharkhand government and ruling coalition
It is unfortunate that students did not lift the agitation despite authorities conceding 98% of their demands; Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed for dialogue and trust.
Investigation and exam cancellation
Protesting students and opposition
Students demand a CBI investigation or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state, cancellation of several examinations, and they rejected the proposed committee.
Jharkhand government and ruling coalition
The government voluntarily agreed to an ED probe, cancelled the 14th JPSC exam and 2023/2025 backlog exams, but cannot cancel the court-monitored JSSC-CGL exam; it proposed a committee headed by a retired high court judge to oversee the CID investigation.
Key facts
- Protests underway
- 18 days (began July 25)
- State-wide bandh
- 8 am to midnight by BJP on Tuesday
- Arrests in case
- 20, including former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte
- Hunger strike
- 6 students, with 2 hospitalised
- Exams to be cancelled
- 14th JPSC exam and 2023/2025 backlog exams
- JSSC-CGL exam
- Cannot be cancelled; conducted under court monitoring
- Police injuries
- 14 policemen injured, per Ranchi police
- Talks held
- 6 rounds, no breakthrough
Quotes
Chief Minister Hemant Soren
Jharkhand state chief minister
“"98 per cent of their demands"”
rediff.com
“"dialogue and trust"”
rediff.com
Sources
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