Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Hemant Soren Opens Talks, Students Demand Public On-Camera Meeting
Many students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are very upset about a big test called the JPSC exam, which decides who gets government jobs.
When the results came out on July 5, the students said the test was not fair.
So they went to a big stadium in Ranchi and decided to stay there until the government helped them, and hundreds of people have joined them.
The leader of the state government, Hemant Soren, agreed to talk to the students.
But the students said they would only talk directly with the chief minister, and only if the meeting was shown on camera so everyone could see what happens.
One student leader named Devendra Mahato stopped eating to show how serious the students are.
Police have arrested 20 people, including an accountant who helped run the test and passed it himself.
A government minister said people were being given jobs unfairly through the back door, not just because a test was leaked.
Now the students hope the government will listen and make the exam process fair for everyone.
Students have held an indefinite sit-in at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium since July 29 over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination, whose results were announced on July 5.
The Hemant Soren government formed a committee of ministers and officials and a four-minister delegation for talks, but students rejected closed-door negotiations, demanding direct talks with the chief minister in public view with media and cameras present.
Student leader Devendra Mahato, on a hunger strike for five days, said the agitators will name representatives and that the fast and agitation will continue until demands are met.
The CID arrested Rakshak Singh, a TDPL accountant who also cleared the JPSC exam himself, in Lucknow, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 20.
Students demand a CBI probe while the government says the CID is already investigating; minister Radhakrishna Kishore called the case a 'back-door appointment scam' rather than a simple paper leak.
- Who
- Student job aspirants and protesters led by hunger-striking student leader Devendra Mahato; the Jharkhand government under Chief Minister Hemant Soren; and investigating agencies including the CID.
- What
- An indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium demanding transparency and accountability over alleged irregularities in the JPSC preliminary examination and the recruitment process.
- When
- The sit-in began on July 29 and is in its 12th day; the exam results that triggered it were announced on July 5.
- Where
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
- Why
- Aspirants allege irregularities in the state recruitment exams and demand a CBI probe, while the government says the CID is already investigating.
Students' Position
Government's Position
Investigation authority
Students' Position
Students demand a CBI probe into the alleged exam irregularities, seeking transparency and institutional accountability.
Government's Position
The state government says the CID is already investigating, that complaints are being examined with urgency, and that 20 arrests, including that of TDPL accountant Rakshak Singh, have been made.
Format of negotiations
Students' Position
Students insist on a direct conversation with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and reject closed-door talks, demanding discussions in front of the media with cameras present.
Government's Position
The government formed a committee of ministers and officials and a four-minister delegation, and proposed that protesters nominate a delegation of five to seven representatives for talks.
Political reaction
Students' Position
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari called Rahul Gandhi's silence on the agitation 'criminal', saying Congress does not care about Jharkhand's protesting students.
Government's Position
Congress minister Irfan Ansari said the government has opened the door for dialogue and will accept the students' demands if they are reasonable.
- Protest start
- July 29; indefinite sit-in, now in its 12th day
- Location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Exam
- 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination; results announced July 5; agitation also covers JSSC exam irregularities
- Hunger strike
- Student leader Devendra Mahato, five days
- Total arrests
- 20, including TDPL accountant Rakshak Singh, arrested in Lucknow
- Government delegation
- Four ministers, including Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav
- Students' demands
- CBI probe; direct talks with Chief Minister Hemant Soren; public negotiations with media and cameras
- Political reactions
- BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi's silence; Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke backed the protesters
