Govt-students second round talks on JPSC-JSSC row in Jharkhand inconclusive, stir enters Day 15

The student agitation in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC competitive examinations continued for the 15th day on Saturday, with a second round of talks between the Jharkhand government and protesting students failing to resolve the dispute.

The meeting, held at the State Guest House in Morabadi, lasted nearly one hour and 45 minutes and was attended by four state ministers and representatives of a student delegation associated with the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front.

The students remained firm on their demand for complete cancellation of the examinations they believe were affected by irregularities. They also reiterated their plan to hold an Assembly gherao on August 10 if their demands are not addressed.

Representing the government at the meeting were ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Chamara Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav. The ministers heard the students’ concerns and appealed to them to call off their sit-in protest.

The government said it was committed to improving transparency and accountability in the state’s examination system.

Speaking after the meeting, Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government would not limit consultations to any single student organisation. Instead, it plans to seek suggestions from students, young people and other stakeholders across Jharkhand before framing a broader policy on examination reforms.

As part of the process, the government has also launched a dedicated email address through which students and members of the public can submit suggestions related to examination reforms. The minister said the recommendations received would be examined while preparing a comprehensive policy.

Sonu said the dialogue with students would continue and that the government would also hold discussions with other student organisations.

At the same time, the minister accused opposition parties of trying to turn the issue into a political controversy. He defended the government’s handling of the allegations, pointing to the CID investigation, raids and arrests already carried out in connection with the suspected examination irregularities.

The protesting students, however, remained unconvinced and said they would continue their agitation until their central demand was met.

Student representatives maintained that assurances and consultations were not enough and insisted that the examinations in question must be cancelled.

The latest meeting was the second attempt by the government to break the deadlock. The first round of talks, held on Friday, had also ended without a concrete agreement.

With the two sides continuing to hold different positions, the standoff remains unresolved, while the students’ proposed August 10 Assembly protest adds further pressure on the state government to find a solution.
 

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