3 weeks ago
Jharkhand hunger strike enters 15th day as talks fail
Students in Jharkhand, a state in India, believe that exams for government jobs were not fair, and some say the question papers were leaked.
They started a peaceful protest at a big stadium in the city of Ranchi on July 25.
Some students are on a hunger strike, which means they are not eating, to show how serious they are.
They want one exam held in April to be cancelled and want special investigators to look into how the recruitment exams were run.
The government sent ministers to talk to the students, but the meetings ended without an agreement.
The students say they will keep protesting until all their demands are met.
They have warned they will march to the state assembly building if the government does not give an answer by Sunday.
One of the fasting students became unwell and had to go to hospital, and leaders asked the students not to risk their health.
The government says it cares about the students and will think about their demands and gather opinions from students across the state.
The protest has become one of the biggest student movements in Jharkhand in recent years.
Talks between the Jharkhand government and the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch ended without an agreement, and a fresh round with a Devendra Nath Mahto-led faction was held on Saturday at the state guest house in Ranchi.
Protesters demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Test held April 19 and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges into alleged paper leaks and irregularities.
The sit-in at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium entered its 15th day on August 8, with six people on indefinite hunger strike, including hospitalized Rahul Kranti and seven-day faster Devendra Nath Mahto.
Students warn they will march to the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if demands are not met by Sunday, while AISA and AISF held a solidarity march in which AISA president Neha Bora was hit with ink.
The government said it is sensitive to the concerns and will consider demands sympathetically; 19 people have been arrested and former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
- Who
- Protesting students and job aspirants of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch and a faction led by JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto; government ministers led by Education Minister Sudivya Kumar, Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi.
- What
- A continuing sit-in and hunger strike over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, with government talks failing to break the deadlock.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand — sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium; talks at the Circuit House and the state guest house.
- When
- Protests began July 25, 2026 and entered their 15th day on August 8; talks were held on Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, 2026.
- Why
- Students allege paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment exams and demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary test, independent investigations, and reforms.
Student protesters
Jharkhand government, BJP and ABVP
Response to alleged exam irregularities and paper leaks
Student protesters
Demand immediate cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary test and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges; continue the sit-in and hunger strike until all demands are met.
Jharkhand government, BJP and ABVP
Say the government is sensitive to the concerns and will consider the demands sympathetically after gathering suggestions from students in all districts, but gave no specific assurances.
Ink attack on AISA president Neha Bora
Student protesters
AISA says the attack near Birsa Chowk was an attempt to intimidate the student movement.
Jharkhand government, BJP and ABVP
The BJP dismisses the incident as a 'stage-managed drama', while the ABVP denies any involvement and condemns the attack.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Protest timeline
- Began July 25, 2026; Day 15 on August 8, 2026
- Hunger strikers
- 6 people, including hospitalized Rahul Kranti, Devendra Nath Mahto (7 days), Habiba and Rupesh Kumar Pal (5 days)
- Exam targeted
- 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Test, held April 19, 2026
- Key demands
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC test and post-2019 JSSC CGL, JE and PGT exams; CBI or retired high court judges' probe; category-wise cut-offs; OMR copies; recruitment calendar like UPSC and SSC
- Agencies under scrutiny
- Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC)
- Arrests and probe
- 19 people arrested; former JPSC chairman L Khiangte questioned four times since July 28
- Next action
- Vidhan Sabha march planned for August 10 if demands are not met by Sunday
Quotes
State Education Minister Sudivya Kumar
Jharkhand State Education Minister
“They should not procrastinate on it. How the government responds to the demands will be interesting to see. If the government had fulfilled the demands on Friday after the talks they held with the 10-member delegation of students, there would be no need for the meeting today, because our demands are almost the same.”
telegraphindia.com
“"The government will gather opinions and suggestions from students in all districts, so that the solutions are comprehensive and inclusive."”
scroll.in
Unnamed protester 'Prem'
Student protester demanding open media‑recorded meeting with Chief Minister
“"We want to talk to the CM directly, with the interaction recorded on video, in front of national, international, and state news outlets, and not in a closed room but in an open ground."”
thestatesman.com
Sources
Jharkhand government holds fresh talks with JPSC protesters, hunger strike enters 7th day
Jharkhand student protest enters Day 15 after talks fail; government to meet another faction today
Jharkhand JPSC-JSSC row: ‘All of us have the same demands,’ says Devendra Nath Mahto ahead of govt talks
Jharkhand student protest: Mahto faction tells govt, ‘Don’t procrastinate’ over exam irregularities
Jharkhand holds talks with student protesters, says it will consider demands
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