Archive · 11 Aug 2026
CJP's Dipke condemns police action against students in Ranchi
Students in the Indian city of Ranchi are unhappy because they believe their government job recruitment tests were unfair.
They have been protesting since July 25, asking for several exams to be cancelled and for a fair investigation.
On Monday, thousands of job seekers marched toward the Jharkhand Assembly and broke through barricades.
Police used batons, water cannons and tear gas to stop them.
Some protesters said they were hurt, while police said 14 officers were injured in the clashes.
A political activist named Abhijeet Dipke, who leads the Cockroach Janta Party, strongly condemned the police action.
He said students are fighting for their rights, not for votes, and that such brutality should not happen.
Dipke compared the protest to one in Delhi last month over a leaked exam paper.
He also said his party supports the protesters and their leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been fasting for nine days.
CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke condemned police use of batons, water cannons and tear gas against students and job aspirants protesting in Ranchi on Monday.
Thousands of job aspirants marched toward the Jharkhand Assembly, breached multiple barricades and clashed with police personnel.
Students have been agitating since July 25, demanding transparency in recruitment tests, cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired HC judges from outside Jharkhand.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is leading the agitation, has been on hunger strike for nine days and police used lathis on him, Dipke said.
Dipke called the Ranchi action a repeat of the July 20 Jantar Mantar protest in Delhi over the NEET paper leak and said the CJP supports the stir under Mahto's leadership.
- Who
- CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, students and job aspirants in Ranchi, and Ranchi police personnel.
- What
- Thousands of students and job aspirants marched toward the Jharkhand Assembly and clashed with police, who used batons, water cannons and tear gas; Dipke condemned the police action as brutality.
- When
- The Ranchi protest took place on Monday, with agitation ongoing since July 25; Dipke's remarks were made on Tuesday, Aug 11.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand; Dipke spoke in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, and referenced an earlier protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment exams and demand transparency, cancellation of several examinations, and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired HC judges from outside Jharkhand.
Protesters' perspective
Police's perspective
Police use of force against protesters
Protesters' perspective
Students are fighting only for their rights, not for a vote bank, so batons, water cannons and tear gas are unjustified; such force is not used against political party workers, and 'brutality on students' must stop.
Police's perspective
Protesters breached multiple barricades and clashed with police personnel, and 14 police officers suffered injuries during the protest.
- Protest location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Protesters
- Students and job aspirants
- Agitation started
- July 25
- Key demands
- Transparency in recruitment tests, cancellation of several exams, independent investigation by CBI or retired HC judges from outside Jharkhand
- Police measures
- Batons/lathis, water cannons near Jagannathpur Temple, tear gas shells
- Reported injuries
- Protesters claimed injuries; police reported 14 officers injured
- Mahto's hunger strike
- Nine days as of Aug 11
- Earlier related protest
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi, July 20 — NEET paper leak protest spearheaded by CJP
