Archive · 13 Aug 2026
LoP Babulal Marandi urges removal of barricades around CM residence
In the Indian state of Jharkhand, students are unhappy about exams that are used to give people government jobs, like the JSSC-CGL and JPSC exams.
The students say the exams were not fair and have been protesting for 20 days.
The government put up big barriers, called barricades, on a very busy road called Kanke Road in the city of Ranchi.
The barriers are near the home of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the leader of the state.
Government officials say the barriers keep the Chief Minister safe, especially with Independence Day coming up and more student protests possible.
A leader named Babulal Marandi, who speaks for the opposition, says the barriers are causing terrible traffic jams.
He says school children and vehicles that deliver essential services are stuck for hours.
Marandi is asking the government to remove the barriers and talk with the students instead of using force.
Earlier, during a previous protest, police used water cannons and lathi-charge, which made the movement grow stronger.
The students say they will keep protesting until the government agrees to their demands.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi urged the Jharkhand government to remove barricades erected on busy Kanke Road in Ranchi around the CM's residence.
The barricades were part of tightened security for Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence ahead of Independence Day and a possible student protest march.
Students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, including JSSC-CGL and JPSC, entered the 20th day of agitation on Thursday.
Marandi claimed common people, school children and essential service vehicles were trapped for hours in severe traffic jams.
He demanded normalisation of traffic and dialogue with students, calling the security measures an unnecessary show of force against a peaceful movement.
- Who
- Babulal Marandi, Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly and BJP leader, plus students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
- What
- Marandi urged the state government to remove barricades on Kanke Road around Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence and to resolve the student agitation through dialogue and normalised traffic.
- When
- Thursday, August 13, the 20th day of the student agitation.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, on busy Kanke Road near the Chief Minister's residence.
- Why
- The barricades were erected to tighten security for the CM residence ahead of Independence Day and a possible student protest march; Marandi says they cause severe public hardship and are an unnecessary show of force against a peaceful movement.
Government & Administration: Security Measures
Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi: Public Convenience & Dialogue
Barricades on Kanke Road
Government & Administration: Security Measures
The administration tightened security around Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence ahead of Independence Day and a possible protest march by students, who have refused to call off the stir until their demands are met.
Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi: Public Convenience & Dialogue
Marandi says the barricades block main roads and the extremely busy Kanke Road, holding the entire capital's public life hostage and causing severe traffic jams for school children and essential service vehicles.
Handling the student movement
Government & Administration: Security Measures
Authorities remain on alert as agitators continue their protest; police have previously used water cannons and lathi-charge, and the movement has escalated in recent days.
Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi: Public Convenience & Dialogue
Marandi argues the students' movement is democratic and peaceful and says the government should resolve it through dialogue instead of an unnecessary show of force.
- Leader of Opposition
- Babulal Marandi (Jharkhand Assembly, BJP)
- Chief Minister
- Hemant Soren
- Location
- Kanke Road, Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Reason for barricades
- Tightened security for CM residence ahead of Independence Day and a possible student protest march
- Student protest target
- Alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations (JSSC-CGL, JPSC)
- Protest duration
- 20 days as of Thursday, August 13
- Marandi's demands
- Remove barricades, normalise traffic, hold dialogue with students
- Prior police action
- Water cannons and lathi-charge during a previous protest, with the movement escalating in recent days
