Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Ink thrown at AISA chief Neha Bora in Jharkhand protest
Many people in the Indian state of Jharkhand want government jobs, and they had to take big tests called the JPSC and JSSC exams.
They believe something was unfair about these tests, so they are asking the government to cancel them and hold new ones.
A group of students and job seekers started a protest on July 25.
On Friday, August 7, they were marching to the state Assembly building in the city of Ranchi.
During the march, a man named Amarnath Pandey suddenly threw ink at a leader named Neha Bora, who heads a student group called AISA.
Other people at the protest caught him and handed him to the police.
He said he did it because he thinks Bora is an 'anti-national' and supports a man named Umar Khalid.
Bora said she will not be scared by ink and believes the man was helped by a political party called the BJP, adding that he also threw ink on about 20 other women.
Some protesters are on a hunger strike, which means they are not eating, to make the government listen.
The state leader, Hemant Soren, said his government is ready to talk, but the students say they have not received an invitation.
A man threw ink at All India Students' Association president Neha Bora during a protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Friday, August 7.
The detained man, identified as Amarnath Pandey, called Bora 'anti-national' and a supporter of Umar Khalid; Bora alleged he was a 'BJP-aided goon' and RSS member who also targeted around 20 other women.
Students and job aspirants demand the cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC CGL exams over alleged paper leaks, large-scale irregularities, scams and corruption, plus an immediate re-examination schedule.
The protest began on July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch banner and entered its 14th day with six demonstrators on an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government's doors were open for dialogue, but protesting students formed an 11-member delegation and say no formal invitation to talks has been received.
- Who
- All India Students' Association president Neha Bora; the detained attacker Amarnath Pandey; and students and job aspirants protesting alleged exam irregularities in Jharkhand.
- What
- A man threw ink at AISA president Neha Bora during a protest march, while students demand the cancellation of JPSC and JSSC CGL exams and an immediate re-examination schedule.
- When
- Friday, August 7, 2026; the protest is on its 14th day, having begun on July 25.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand; the incident occurred near Birsa Chowk as marchers headed to the Jharkhand Assembly from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
- Why
- Students allege large-scale irregularities, scams and corruption — including paper leaks — in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams and demand cancellation, re-examination and government talks.
Student protesters and left organisations
Protest critics and the state government
Ink-throwing incident
Student protesters and left organisations
Bora alleged the man was a 'BJP-aided goon' and RSS member who shouted 'Jai Shri Ram', and that the BJP acted in revenge for the Delhi movement; she said ink cannot suppress the anger of students and youth across the country.
Protest critics and the state government
The detained man, Amarnath Pandey, said he threw ink because he does not like Bora and considers her an 'anti-national' supporter of Umar Khalid.
Handling of exam demands
Student protesters and left organisations
Students say repeated appeals to the government failed to produce concrete action, forcing them into hunger strikes, and that no formal invitation to talks has been received; they demand exam cancellation and CBI and Enforcement Directorate inquiries.
Protest critics and the state government
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said his government's doors were open for dialogue, and protesting students formed an 11-member delegation to hold talks.
- Incident
- Ink thrown at AISA president Neha Bora during a protest march
- Attacker
- Amarnath Pandey (26), detained and being interrogated at Dhurwa police station; no FIR lodged
- Location
- Near Birsa Chowk, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Date
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Protest began
- July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch banner at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
- Demand
- Cancellation of JPSC and JSSC CGL exams and an immediate re-examination schedule
- Hunger strike
- Six demonstrators on indefinite fast; five protesters joined JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto's strike
- Attacker's claim
- Called Bora 'anti-national' and a supporter of Umar Khalid
Sources
Jharkhand Exam Stir: Man Held for Throwing Ink at AISA Chief Neha Bora
‘We will write the future with ink’: AISA’s Neha Bora after Jharkhand protest ink attack
J’khand job exam stir: Man detained after throwing ink at AISA chief Neha Bora
