Archive · 11 Aug 2026
Jharkhand students' stir enters Day 19, Rahul Gandhi invited
Students in Jharkhand, a state in India, are upset because they think the exams for government jobs were not fair.
They have been sitting together and protesting for 19 days.
On Monday, many students marched to the state Assembly building to make their voice heard.
The police tried to stop them using water cannons, tear gas and batons.
The students say more than 100 people were hurt, and some showed bruises on their bodies.
Now the protesters want a famous leader named Rahul Gandhi to come and see them.
They want the unfair exam to be cancelled and a special investigation team called the CBI to look into it.
The students say they are not against any political party, they just want fair and honest recruitment.
Some politicians are supporting them and asked shops and offices to stay closed for a day.
The state government says many of the students' demands are already being handled and wants to solve the problem by talking.
Students in Jharkhand continued their sit-in for a 19th consecutive day over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.
Protesters invited Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi to visit Ranchi after Monday's police crackdown during an Assembly march.
Police used water cannons, tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the crowd; protesters say more than 100 students were injured.
The agitators demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.
The BJP called for a statewide bandh on Tuesday, while the state government says several demands have been addressed and dialogue can resolve the issue.
- Who
- Students in Jharkhand, members of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum, and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, whom protesters invited to visit Ranchi.
- What
- A 19th-day sit-in against alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, intensified after police used force during an Assembly march.
- When
- Tuesday, the 19th consecutive day of the agitation; the police crackdown took place on Monday.
- Where
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and near the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
- Why
- Protesters demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into alleged recruitment irregularities, and a firsthand visit by Rahul Gandhi.
Student protesters
State government response
Police crackdown
Student protesters
Protesters allege police used water cannons, tear gas and batons, injuring more than 100 students, and claim women protesters were also baton-charged, with lights switched off before the charges.
State government response
The state government says several student demands have already been addressed and that a resolution can be reached through dialogue.
Recruitment exam irregularities
Student protesters
Agitators demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams.
State government response
The state government maintains that several demands have already been met and favours a negotiated resolution.
Response to police action
Student protesters
The BJP called for a statewide bandh on Tuesday in protest against the police action.
State government response
The state government says a resolution can be reached through dialogue, and the bandh saw a mixed response.
- Protest duration
- 19 consecutive days (as of Tuesday)
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand; Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and Jharkhand Assembly
- Police measures
- Water cannons, tear gas shells and baton charges
- Reported injuries
- More than 100 students injured, according to protesters
- Main demands
- Cancel JSSC-CGL examination; CBI probe into alleged recruitment irregularities
- Key figure invited
- Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
- Political response
- BJP called a statewide bandh on Tuesday; state government favours dialogue