3 weeks ago
Jharkhand Protest: Cops to Check CCTV; BJP Calls Statewide Bandh
Many students in a part of India called Jharkhand are upset about their government job exams.
They believe the exams were not fair, so they have been protesting for 17 days.
On Monday, they marched toward the state Assembly building in Ranchi.
The march became chaotic, and police used water cannons, tear gas and sticks to stop the crowd.
Fourteen police officers were hurt, and police say some troublemakers ruined a peaceful protest, so now they will look at CCTV videos to find them.
A political party called the BJP is angry about the police action and asked people to keep shops and schools closed for a day.
The leader of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, says the government will listen to the students' problems seriously.
He also says some politicians are using the protest for their own political gain and asked students not to be fooled.
One protest leader who had stopped eating for nine days had to go to the hospital.
Other leaders, like Rahul Gandhi, say hurting peaceful protesters is wrong and that talking is the best way to solve the problem.
Ranchi police will examine CCTV footage to identify 'anti-social elements' who disrupted Monday's peaceful students' protest over alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
Protesters breached multiple barricades near the Jharkhand Assembly, prompting police to use water cannons, tear gas and lathis; 14 policemen were injured.
The BJP called a statewide bandh on Tuesday, August 11, from 8am to midnight to protest what it called 'police atrocities' against students.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government respects students' right to protest, urged dialogue, and accused opposition leaders of trying to use the agitation for political gain.
Students demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into irregularities and recruitment reforms; Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the force used against protesters.
- Who
- Students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities, Jharkhand Police led by Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan, BJP state president Aditya Sahu, Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto.
- What
- A students' protest over alleged exam irregularities turned violent near the Jharkhand Assembly; police will review CCTV footage to identify miscreants, and the BJP called a statewide bandh.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, near the Jharkhand Assembly.
- When
- The protest entered its 17th day on Monday, August 10, 2026; clashes and the BJP-called bandh are reported for Tuesday, August 11, 2026, with reports differing on which day police used water cannons.
- Why
- Students allege irregularities in recruitment examinations, including the JSSC-CGL exam, and demand cancellation of the exam, a CBI probe and recruitment reforms; the BJP accuses police of atrocities, while police say anti-social elements disrupted a peaceful protest.
Protesters and BJP
Police and JMM-led government
Police use of force
Protesters and BJP
BJP state president Aditya Sahu alleged hundreds of students were injured by tear gas, water cannons and batons, calling the action 'barbaric' and the government 'dictatorial'; Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the use of force against protesting students is wrong.
Police and JMM-led government
Police said they used only a 'mild lathi-charge' after protesters breached multiple barricades, and Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan said 14 policemen were injured during the stir.
Blame for the violence
Protesters and BJP
The BJP and opposition leaders accused the JMM-led government of treating protesting students 'like criminals' and demanded an end to what they called 'police atrocities'.
Police and JMM-led government
Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan said 'anti-social elements' disrupted a peaceful protest, and Chief Minister Hemant Soren alleged opposition leaders tried to spoil the atmosphere and mislead students for political gains.
Response to student demands
Protesters and BJP
Students are demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and reforms in the recruitment process, with the BJP backing their cause through the statewide bandh.
Police and JMM-led government
Chief Minister Hemant Soren assured the government would examine the students' demands 'with utmost seriousness and sensitivity' through dialogue and thanked police for handling the situation with 'restraint and sensitivity'.
Key facts
- State
- Jharkhand, India
- Location
- Ranchi, near the Jharkhand Assembly
- Cause
- Alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations (JSSC-CGL)
- Agitation day
- 17th day on Monday, August 10, 2026
- Police injured
- 14 policemen
- Police measures
- Water cannons, tear gas and lathis ('mild lathi-charge')
- Bandh details
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026, 8am to midnight; essential services exempted
- Protesters' demands
- Cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam, CBI probe, recruitment process reforms
Quotes
Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan
Senior Superintendent of Police, Ranchi
“The police fired tear gas shells, used water cannons and batons. Even in the evening, batons were rained down on the protestors. Hundreds of students were injured. They were admitted to hospitals. This is a dictatorial government.”
news18.com
“The use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions.”
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