Jharkhand exam protest: Student delegation, govt meet for 2nd round of talks

The second round of talks between representatives of the JPSC-JSSC Aspirant Nyay Manch and the Jharkhand government began at the State Guest House in Ranchi on Saturday, as the students continued their indefinite protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

An eight-member student delegation is holding face-to-face discussions with representatives appointed by the state government. The talks come as the students’ agitation, which began on July 5 following allegations of irregularities in the 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), entered its 15th day.

The student delegation includes Chandan Kumar, Deenbandhu Mandal, Ravi Shankar, Prem Kumar, Pooja Kumari, Ramavatar Mahato, Bimal Kumar and Amit Kumar Sharma.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who has been leading the agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has also been on hunger strike for the past six days in support of the protesters’ demands.

Speaking to IANS, Mahato said the students were seeking concrete action rather than assurances.

“Thank everyone who is supporting this movement. I am having difficulty speaking for long. The protest, which began on July 5, has continued till now. Our demand is that all examinations conducted by the TDPL agency be cancelled and an inquiry be conducted,” he said.

Mahato added that the students had participated in talks with the government on Friday but felt that the matter was being delayed. The eight-member delegation was therefore holding another round of discussions with the government on Saturday.

Ramavatar Mahato said the immediate focus of the students was the 14th JPSC examination and examinations conducted by TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL).

“Our meeting is regarding the 14th JPSC examination. The government should immediately cancel the JPSC examination. All the examinations conducted by the TDPL should be cancelled,” he said.

### Students demand transparency and accountability

Student leader Prem Nayak said the protesters wanted the talks to take place directly with Chief Minister Hemant Soren and on an open platform.

“We wanted to proceed under the leadership of Devindranath and hold talks with the Chief Minister. Our demand was that the talks should be held on an open platform, in an open ground. We don't know if the government will agree to this demand. This time, we won't rely on the government's hollow promises,” Nayak said.

He argued that uncertainty surrounding government recruitment examinations disproportionately affects students from financially weaker backgrounds.

“A student studies in a 10x10 room, bringing rice and lentils from home. If their job is sold for Rs 1 crore or Rs 80 lakh, where will poor students go?” he said, alleging that corruption in recruitment could have wider consequences for the administration.

Meanwhile, protesters also called for greater transparency in the examination process.

Rapper Suraj Tylon, speaking to IANS, said students wanted clarity over the JSSC examination, including the process used to determine cut-offs and declare results.

“The students are demanding that the JSSC examination be cancelled. There should be transparency in the examination and its results. Everything, including how the cutoff was set, should be clarified,” he said.

### First round of talks ended without agreement

The latest discussions follow the first formal round of talks between the government and protesting students held at the State Guest House in Morabadi on Friday evening.

The meeting lasted around one-and-a-half hours and ended at 9:25 pm. Although student representatives described the discussions as positive, no final agreement was reached.

A five-member government delegation and a 10-member student delegation participated in the first round. Four state ministers — Chamara Linda, Sudibya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh and Sanjay Prasad Yadav — attended the meeting, along with Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh.

The students presented their demands and sought specific responses from the government. After the meeting, however, they made it clear that the protest would continue until concrete steps were taken.

With the second round of talks now underway, attention is focused on whether the two sides can find common ground on the cancellation of the disputed examinations and the students’ wider demands for transparency and accountability in the recruitment process.

For now, the agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium continues, with the students maintaining that they will not withdraw their protest without a concrete resolution.
 

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