Agencies | Ranchi:
The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified as protesting students demanded strict action from the state government and urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his party’s support to the JMM-led coalition if Chief Minister Hemant Soren fails to address their concerns.
The protesters, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of politicising their demands and announced plans to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence on August 20, while also seeking his resignation.
“We also demand that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi withdraw support from the JMM-led coalition if the CM is not listening to him,” JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said.
The students are demanding the cancellation of examinations in which they allege irregularities were detected, including the JSSC-CGL and certain Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examinations. They have also called for an independent investigation into the recruitment process.
The protesters have demanded either a CBI probe or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand, arguing that an independent investigation is necessary to establish accountability and restore the confidence of job aspirants.
The agitation is expected to continue until the government responds to the demands.
BJP Steps Up Attack on Government
Former Jharkhand chief minister and BJP MLA Champai Soren also criticised the state government over its handling of the allegations and questioned its reluctance to recommend a CBI investigation.
“If you are not a part of a job-selling racket, what is the problem in recommending a CBI probe?” he said.
The issue has emerged as a major concern among thousands of students preparing for government recruitment examinations, with protesters alleging that irregularities have undermined the credibility of the selection process.
Government Promises Recruitment Reforms
The Hemant Soren government, meanwhile, has maintained that steps are being taken to make recruitment examinations more transparent, secure and accountable.
In his Independence Day address, Soren acknowledged that allegations surrounding recruitment examinations had shaken the confidence of an entire generation of job aspirants. He assured students that investigations into alleged irregularities would be impartial and that anyone found guilty would face strict legal action.
The Chief Minister also stressed the need for systemic reforms to prevent manipulation of examinations in the future.
Among the measures announced by the government are a time-bound annual examination calendar, technology-secured examinations, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and multi-level accountability throughout the recruitment process.
However, the protesters have maintained that assurances and administrative reforms alone are not enough and are insisting on an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities.
With the proposed August 20 gherao approaching, the recruitment controversy is likely to intensify further, putting additional pressure on the JMM-led government to demonstrate that its recruitment system is transparent and capable of protecting the interests of thousands of aspiring candidates.
