Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Jharkhand protesters threaten march to CM Hemant Soren's residence
Students in the Indian state of Jharkhand are unhappy about exams for government jobs.
They think some of the exams were not fair.
They have been protesting for 23 days to ask for change.
Now they have told the Chief Minister he must fix the problem by August 20.
If he does not, the students say he should resign and they will march to his house.
Before this, on August 10, police used water cannons and tear gas during a march near the Assembly.
The students want some exams cancelled and a fair investigation.
The government says the CGL exam cannot be cancelled because the courts were watching over it.
The ruling party says it has taken the protest seriously and that some people may be using the students for their own goals.
Students marked the 23rd day of the JPSC-JSSC agitation by issuing an ultimatum to the Jharkhand government.
For the first time, protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, threatening a march to his residence on August 20.
Protesters plan to burn effigies of Soren, Rahul Gandhi and other ruling alliance leaders across all 24 districts of Jharkhand.
The four principal demands include cancelling the JSSC-CGL and 11th to 13th JPSC examinations, scrapping TDPL-linked exams, and a CBI inquiry.
JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey said the government has taken the issue seriously from day one and alleged outsiders are exploiting the protest.
- Who
- Students of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, and JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey.
- What
- Protesters issued an ultimatum demanding exam cancellations and a CBI inquiry, and threatened a march to the Chief Minister's residence demanding his resignation.
- When
- The announcement came on Sunday, the 23rd day of the protest; the march is planned for August 20.
- Where
- Jharkhand, India, with effigy burnings planned across all 24 districts.
- Why
- Students are demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and JPSC examinations and a CBI investigation into the recruitment exams.
Student protesters
Jharkhand government / JMM
Exam cancellations
Student protesters
Students demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL and the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations, as well as all TDPL-linked exams, saying the jobs were 'stolen'.
Jharkhand government / JMM
The government has cancelled three JPSC-linked exams but says the CGL results cannot be cancelled because the process was conducted under Supreme Court and High Court monitoring.
Who is behind the movement
Student protesters
Students say the movement is their own and will intensify, vowing to shift from a 'Gandhian' approach to a 'Bhagat Singh' framework.
Jharkhand government / JMM
JMM's Manoj Pandey alleges the protest is being used by people with interests beyond the students and questions why coaching operators and teachers are guiding them.
Government's response
Student protesters
Students say the government has failed to meet their demands, issuing an ultimatum and, for the first time, demanding the Chief Minister's resignation.
Jharkhand government / JMM
The ruling party says the issue has been taken seriously from day one and that arrests have been made, accusing others of targeting the JMM-led government.
- Protest day
- 23rd day
- Planned march
- August 20, to Chief Minister's residence
- Previous clash
- August 10 march near Jharkhand Assembly
- Principal demands
- 4 — cancellation of JSSC-CGL, 11th-13th JPSC exams, TDPL-linked exams, and CBI inquiry
- Exams cancelled so far
- Three JPSC-linked examinations
- Effigy burning
- Across all 24 districts of Jharkhand
- Student group
- JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch
- Parties involved
- JMM (ruling) and Congress leaders targeted by protesters