Jharkhand student protest enters 16th day over alleged JPSC exam irregularities

Protests by job aspirants in Ranchi entered their 16th consecutive day on Sunday as a second round of talks between student representatives and the Jharkhand government ended without a resolution. Students demonstrating at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium accused the state administration of offering empty promises and attempting to suppress the movement while refusing to address their core demands following alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination held on July 2.

Several student leaders remain on hunger strike, raising heightened medical concerns among supporters at the protest site. Devendra Nath Mahato, who has been on a hunger strike since August 2, received emergency saline treatment after his blood sugar levels dropped significantly overnight, though he has vowed to continue the strike alongside fellow leaders Prem Nayak and others.

Protesters are demanding the cancellation of the compromised examination, an impartial investigation into the recruitment process, and guaranteed transparency for future state exams. Student organizers confirmed that the agitation will escalate with a planned protest march to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on August 10.

(Inputs from IANS)