Archive · 12 Aug 2026
BJP accuses Jharkhand administration of intimidating protesting students
Many young people in the Indian state of Jharkhand want government jobs.
They are upset because they think the exams used to pick workers were not fair.
So they came together at a big stadium in Ranchi to protest peacefully.
The protest has now been going on for 19 days.
A politician named Babual Marandi said that government officials tried to scare the students into leaving.
He said the officials even turned off the electricity at the stadium late at night.
The officials said they did nothing wrong and only went there to check on the students.
The students say they will keep protesting until the government listens to their complaints.
The BJP accused the Ranchi district administration of trying to forcibly remove students from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where they are protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations.
Leader of Opposition Babual Marandi said officials shut down electricity at the protest site and told students the JPSC exam had been canceled, so the protest should end.
Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri and Senior Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan denied the charges, saying they had gone to the spot to enquire about the well-being of the students.
Marandi condemned the administration and the Hemant Soren government, warned against challenging student power, and demanded electricity, water, sanitation and other basic facilities at the dharna site.
The job aspirants' agitation entered its 19th day on Wednesday, with protesters vowing to intensify the stir if their demands were not met.
- Who
- Job aspirants protesting in Ranchi; BJP leader and Leader of Opposition Babual Marandi; Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri and SSP Rakesh Ranjan; the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government.
- What
- The BJP accused the Ranchi district administration of trying to forcibly remove and intimidate students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, while officials denied the charge.
- When
- Wednesday, August 12, 2026 — the 19th day of the agitation.
- Where
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in the state's recruitment examinations, including the JPSC exam that officials said had been canceled, and want the government to address their demands instead of suppressing the peaceful protest.
BJP and protesting students
Ranchi administration and Jharkhand government
Forcible removal of protesters
BJP and protesting students
Marandi alleged that officials arrived late at night, shut down electricity and attempted to forcibly remove students from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, calling the action undemocratic and reprehensible.
Ranchi administration and Jharkhand government
Ranchi DC Manjunath Bhajantri and SSP Rakesh Ranjan denied the charges, saying they had gone to the spot to enquire about the well-being of the students.
Whether the protest should continue
BJP and protesting students
Students are peacefully fighting for their rights and vow to intensify the stir if their demands over alleged exam irregularities are not met; the government should address demands rather than suppress voices.
Ranchi administration and Jharkhand government
Officials reportedly told students that the government had canceled the JPSC exam, so the protest should now end.
- Protest site
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Agitation duration
- 19th day as of August 12, 2026
- Protesters
- Job aspirants over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations
- Accusing party
- BJP; Babual Marandi, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand assembly
- Officials denying the charge
- Ranchi DC Manjunath Bhajantri and SSP Rakesh Ranjan
- Government criticized
- Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government
- Exam mentioned
- JPSC exam, which officials said had been canceled
- Protesters' stance
- Vow to intensify the stir if demands are not met