JMM Alleges ‘Coaching Mafia’ and Political Forces Behind Jharkhand Student Agitation

The ongoing student agitation in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations has taken a sharper political turn, with the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) alleging that “coaching mafias” and political forces are influencing the movement.

Students have been protesting over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), demanding investigations and action against those responsible.

JMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey, speaking to IANS, alleged that several groups were involved in the agitation and questioned the role of coaching centres and other interests in the protests.

“There are many forces involved... There is a coaching mafia involved. What is the role of the coaching mafia in this? Why are they seen there?” Pandey asked.

He said the activities and possible motives of such groups should also be examined and questioned whether a political party was backing them.

Pandey further alleged that a political party with little independent strength was attempting to use students as a “shield” for its own political objectives. However, he did not name the political party he was referring to.

His comments come at a time when the student movement has increasingly taken a political dimension, with protesters announcing plans to intensify their agitation against the JMM-led government.

Asked about the protesters' reported plan to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren's residence and burn effigies of JMM and Congress leaders, Pandey said such actions were part of their democratic rights.

“That is their democratic right. They can burn an effigy or do whatever they want,” he said.

At the same time, the JMM spokesperson appealed to the students to raise their demands peacefully and through democratic means. He described the state government as sensitive towards the concerns of young people.

“We have a sensitive Chief Minister and a sensitive government,” Pandey said, adding that the government did not respond to protests by using excessive force.

His remarks came in the context of allegations of police action against student protesters in Delhi and Bihar.

Meanwhile, the agitation entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with protesters stepping up their criticism of the ruling alliance. Student leader Ravindra Kumar Paswan said the protesters planned to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Paswan accused Gandhi of making assurances to the students without taking effective action.

“Today we are going to burn effigies of (Jharkhand Chief Minister) Hemant Soren and (Lok Sabha LoP) Rahul Gandhi. We will burn Rahul Gandhi's effigy also because Congress is in alliance with the JMM in Jharkhand and despite giving assurances over phone call and social media post, he (Gandhi) is not doing anything for us. The assurances are of no use,” he told IANS.

The protesters have also set a deadline for the state government. Paswan had said that the students would gherao the Chief Minister's residence on August 20 if their demands were not addressed by August 18.

“The 'gherao' of the Chief Minister's residence is on August 20. We are giving the government an ultimatum until the 18th. Fulfil our demands by the 18th; otherwise, lakhs of students from (different parts of) Jharkhand will march towards the capital of the state, and you will not be able to stop them,” he had said.

The escalating confrontation highlights the growing pressure on the Jharkhand government to resolve the recruitment examination dispute. While the protesters are demanding action over alleged irregularities and paper leaks, the ruling alliance has questioned the political and organisational forces operating around the movement.

With the August 18 deadline approaching and a proposed march towards Ranchi on August 20, the dispute is set to remain a major political and administrative issue in the state.