3 weeks ago
Congress Backs Jharkhand Student Protests as Government Forms Talks Committee
Students in Jharkhand are upset about tests for government jobs.
They believe the tests were not fair because some answer sheets may have been changed.
Many students are sitting together at a big stadium in Ranchi to show they are unhappy.
Some students have stopped eating to show how serious they are.
The Congress party, which helps run the state government, says it supports the students.
A Congress leader met the Chief Minister to give him a list of the students' demands.
The government wants to talk and chose leaders to speak with the students.
The students want the test to be cancelled and want special agencies to investigate what happened.
Police have arrested 19 people suspected of changing answer sheets.
If the government does not listen, the students say they will protest near the state assembly on August 10.
Congress national leadership publicly backed students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand civil service examinations, with K Raju submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
Protests began on July 25 with a sit-in at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where six demonstrators are on hunger strike on the 13th day.
Students demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test held on April 19 and independent CBI and ED inquiries into alleged recruitment irregularities.
The government formed a ministerial committee for talks, which a delegation of 11 protesters was expected to meet on Thursday night (reports differ on a four- or five-member panel).
Protesters plan to surround the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if demands go unaddressed; BJP MLAs protested in support, and Rahul Gandhi suggested MPs visit Siwan, Bihar, over police firing during NEET protests.
- Who
- Students in Jharkhand protesting alleged exam irregularities, backed by the Congress national leadership including K Raju, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi; the JMM-led government of Chief Minister Hemant Soren has formed a talks committee, and BJP MLAs have protested in support.
- What
- A continuing sit-in protest in Ranchi demanding cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Preliminary Test and independent CBI and ED inquiries into alleged recruitment irregularities.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, mainly at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium; the planned protest target is the Vidhan Sabha.
- When
- Protests began on July 25 and were in their 13th day on Thursday; Congress announced support on Thursday, and protesters plan to surround the Vidhan Sabha on August 10.
- Why
- Alleged irregularities in Jharkhand civil service examinations, which protesters say are part of a nationwide agitation over mismanagement of competitive exams.
Student protesters and Congress critics
JMM-led state government
Cancellation of the exam
Student protesters and Congress critics
Protesters demand cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test over alleged irregularities.
JMM-led state government
The government formed a ministerial committee to hold talks with protesters rather than announcing a cancellation.
Nature of the inquiry
Student protesters and Congress critics
Protesters want independent investigations by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
JMM-led state government
The government has not announced independent probes; Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat noted a CBI case on a 2006 JPSC exam remains unresolved.
Congress's political stance
Student protesters and Congress critics
Some Congress leaders want a more independent stand, saying the party has 'completely surrendered' to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and that Soren should have met protesters immediately.
JMM-led state government
The Congress national leadership publicly backs the students while remaining part of the JMM-led government and thanked the chief minister for forming the talks committee.
Key facts
- Protest start date
- July 25
- Protest location
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Key demand
- Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Preliminary Test held on April 19
- Investigations sought
- Independent inquiries by the CBI and ED into JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission exams
- Government response
- Ministerial committee formed for talks with protesters; reports differ on four- or five-member composition
- Hunger strike
- Six demonstrators on fast
- Arrests
- 19 people arrested over suspected answer-sheet tampering
- Planned escalation
- Surround the Vidhan Sabha on August 10 if demands are not met
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president
“"The @INCIndia in Jharkhand stands in support of the agitating student for justice in Ranchi.... We thanked CM for his empathetic positive action for constituting a Ministerial Committee to consult with protesting students and recommend concrete solutions."”
telegraphindia.com
“"Whether it is Jharkhand, Punjab, Delhi or anywhere else, we, Rahul Gandhiji stand with the students. We will ask questions: If a mistake was made, why did it happen?"”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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