JPSC-JSSC Recruitment Irregularities: Student Leader Devendra Nath Mahato Announces ‘Recruitment Reform Yatra’ From Nemra

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato has announced a statewide “Recruitment Reform Yatra” from August 24 to protest alleged irregularities and malpractice in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations. The campaign will begin from Nemra, the ancestral village of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mahato questioned the state government's handling of alleged irregularities in several recruitment examinations. He said the government, following pressure from student protests, ordered the cancellation of 22 examinations on August 17 and directed investigations into 23 others.

According to Mahato, cases involving examinations such as JPSC, Food Safety Officer (FSO), Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) and JSSC-CGL have reached the courts. He said the government had cancelled examinations based on findings from the CID investigation and irregularities that had come to light.

However, he questioned why the government allegedly failed to effectively place the CID investigation report before the High Court when it had an opportunity to defend its decision. He said the issue had disappointed students and the wider public, who expected the government's action to lead to meaningful reforms in the recruitment system.

‘Our fight is not against innocent candidates’

Mahato stressed that the movement was not aimed at taking away the jobs of candidates who had been selected through the disputed examinations.

He said the government must take responsibility for protecting the future of candidates who are genuinely innocent while simultaneously taking action against those found responsible for irregularities. According to him, the movement is aimed at corruption, malpractice and systemic weaknesses in the recruitment process rather than individual candidates.

Mahato said the campaign for recruitment reforms began on July 2, followed by protests from July 5, a satyagraha from July 25 and a hunger strike from August 2. The next phase will now be the “Recruitment Reform Yatra”, which will begin from Nemra on August 24.

During the journey, the organisers plan to visit different districts and conduct an awareness campaign among students, teachers, professors and members of the public on issues related to recruitment examinations and reforms.

Warning of wider agitation

Mahato said the state government must provide a clear assurance that paper leaks and examination malpractice would not be allowed in future recruitment processes.

He also demanded action against those responsible for irregularities in examinations where investigations have reportedly found evidence of wrongdoing. He said issues involving municipal recruitment, law assistants, head workers, assistant police recruitment and other examinations would also be raised during the campaign.

Mahato warned that if the government failed to effectively present its position during upcoming court proceedings, the agitation could be expanded. He threatened demonstrations outside the Chief Minister's residence, road blockades and, if necessary, an indefinite protest.

Movement seeks long-term recruitment reforms

Mahato claimed that complaints of irregularities and alleged exploitation of students in Jharkhand's recruitment system have persisted for around 26 years.

He said the current campaign is not simply aimed at getting examinations cancelled. Instead, its broader objective is to push for a recruitment system that is transparent, secure and accountable, with safeguards to minimise the possibility of paper leaks, manipulation and corruption in future examinations.

The proposed yatra could therefore become another significant phase in the ongoing student protests over recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, particularly as several disputed examinations and related government decisions are already facing legal scrutiny.
 

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