Allegations that the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) preliminary exam paper was leaked have triggered a huge uproar across the state. Unemployed youth and students have been staging large-scale protests on the streets of the capital, Ranchi, for the past several days over irregularities in the conduct of the exam. This episode has once again taken on political significance after the “Cockroach Janata Party” (CJP) — known nationwide for its unconventional protests — recently announced full-fledged support for the agitating Jharkhand students.
The prominent Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi has currently become the main hub of the student agitation, with hundreds of candidates expressing their protest in innovative ways. As part of this struggle, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato intensified the protest further by starting an indefinite hunger strike from Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Devendra Nath Mahato alleged that despite students protesting on the streets for weeks, the government has completely failed to take corrective action. He lamented that thousands of candidates are suffering severe mental distress due to the indifferent attitude of the Public Service Commission and the government. He made it clear that the recently conducted preliminary exam must be cancelled immediately, and that his fast-unto-death would continue until the Chief Minister accepts their demands. He also demanded a review of the conduct of all exams recently held through “TDPL.”
Meanwhile, students expressed anguish that paper leaks have become commonplace in almost every competitive exam held in the state, and strongly criticized the attitude of officials. They are demanding that Chief Minister Hemant Soren hold direct talks with them on all these issues. They are firmly demanding that the recruitment process be made transparent, and that an impartial, high-level investigation be conducted into all the irregularities that have occurred so far.
CJP founder Abhijeet Depke responded positively to the agitation, stating that he had personally spoken to student leaders and protesters in Jharkhand. He declared that his party stands with the Jharkhand students fighting for just demands and is extending them full support, adding that his support would always be there against systems that toy with students’ futures.
Overall, the exam leak issue in Jharkhand has become a major challenge for CM Hemant Soren’s government. Pressure on the government is mounting day by day, with student organizations joined by the opposition and other parties in extending support. There are widespread appeals for the government to respond immediately by ordering a transparent inquiry and ensuring justice for unemployed youth.