3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Exam Row: Talks Fail as JPSC Members Resign
Some students in the Indian state of Jharkhand are very upset about their government job exams.
They believe the exams were not fair and that question papers may have been leaked.
The students are asking the government to let a special investigative team called the CBI look into what happened.
The government says it has already agreed to almost everything the students asked for, but it does not want the CBI to investigate this particular exam.
It says the exam was already watched over by the country's top courts.
The students say they will keep protesting until the CBI investigates, and they plan to march to the state assembly building.
A few students have stopped eating food as part of a hunger strike.
Meanwhile, everyone who runs the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, the agency that holds the exams, has resigned.
The government has promised other kinds of investigations and faster court cases.
Both sides say they want fairness, but they have not reached an agreement yet.
The sixth round of talks between the Jharkhand government and student protesters failed to break the deadlock over a CBI probe demand.
All three Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) members resigned on Sunday amid CID summons over alleged exam irregularities, following chairman L Khiangte's July 22 resignation.
Students reject the government's claim of meeting 98% of demands, saying only three of the 13 examinations they wanted cancelled were scrapped.
Protesters plan to march to the Jharkhand assembly on August 10; prohibitory orders are in place near the assembly and schools will remain closed.
The government will recommend an ED probe into JPSC financial irregularities and set up a fast-track court to file charge sheets within 90 days.
- Who
- Student protesters led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch and leader Ravindra Paswan; Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren; Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar; and the three JPSC members who resigned - Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad.
- What
- The sixth round of talks failed because students insist on a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL recruitment exam, a demand the government refuses; all JPSC members have now resigned.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, where talks were held at the state guest house; the march targets the Jharkhand assembly.
- When
- Sunday, August 9 - the 16th day of the protest; the assembly march is planned for August 10.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities and a paper leak in recruitment exams and demand a CBI probe, cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam, public release of findings and action against the guilty.
Protesting Students
Jharkhand Government
CBI probe demand
Protesting Students
Students insist on a CBI probe into the JSSC-CGL exam irregularities and want the probe report made public, saying they will not compromise until this demand is met.
Jharkhand Government
The government refuses a CBI probe because the exam was conducted under High Court and Supreme Court monitoring; it will instead recommend an ED probe into JPSC financial irregularities and form a retired HC judge panel.
Whether most demands are met
Protesting Students
Students reject the 98% figure, saying only three of the 13 examinations they wanted cancelled were scrapped, and call the government's claims a 'false narrative'.
Jharkhand Government
The government maintains it accepted 98% of demands, including cancelling the 14th JPSC exam, and calls the continued agitation unfortunate.
Politicization of the agitation
Protesting Students
Protesters say Monday's march will be peaceful and appeal to political parties and the public not to give the agitation a political colour.
Jharkhand Government
Chief Minister Hemant Soren says vested interests are working to disrupt democracy in Jharkhand and warns against politicising the stir or misguiding youths.
Key facts
- State
- Jharkhand
- Agitating body
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch
- Core demand
- CBI probe into JSSC-CGL exam irregularities
- Government response
- Refuses CBI probe; will recommend ED probe; says 98% of demands met
- Protest duration
- 16th day as of August 9
- Hunger strike
- 6 demonstrators on indefinite hunger strike
- JPSC resignations
- All 3 members resigned; chairman L Khiangte quit on July 22
- Planned action
- March to Jharkhand assembly on August 10
Quotes
Ravindra Paswan
Student leader of the protest movement
“"It is unfortunate that students are not ready to withdraw the agitation, though we agreed to most of their demands. There is no intention to save any culprit involved in exam irregularities. We are ready for all probes. We appeal to students and their parents to shun agitation and choose dialogue to resolve the issue"”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
NDTV
“We held positive dialogue with students; the Jharkhand government will recommend an ED probe into financial irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission exam. Now they will take a final call whether to withdraw the agitation or not.”
telegraphindia.com
theprint.in
Sources
J'khand exam row: Talks fail, students march to assembly
Jharkhand exam row: Students reject government’s assurances, hold firm on CBI probe demand
Protesters stick to demand for CBI probe into exam anomaly; J’khand govt says 98pc demands met
'Agreed to most demands': Jharkhand govt says 'unfortunate' protesters continue agitation
'Unfortunate That Students Not Ready To Lift Agitation': Jharkhand Government
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