A massive protest by students against alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations in Jharkhand intensified on Monday, with hundreds of students marching towards the Legislative Assembly in an attempt to lay siege to it. The protesters breached eight police barricades during their march, advancing towards the Assembly building before being stopped by the police.
In a unique display of determination, the students stood firm against the police’s use of water cannons, raising slogans and even dancing in the face of the water jets. The police had deployed water cannons in an attempt to stop the students, but many refused to retreat, instead chanting slogans and continuing to push forward.
The situation remains tense, with a standoff persisting between the police and the protesters. Security arrangements have been tightened across the area, with drone cameras being used to monitor the protesters’ movements. The student group has somewhat fragmented, with some trying to move forward while the police attempt to contain them.
The students are demanding the cancellation of controversial exams, including the 14th JPSC preliminary examination, reforms in the recruitment process, and a CBI inquiry into the matter. The protest comes after the third round of talks between the state government and student representatives ended inconclusively on Sunday.
The administration has put in place extensive security arrangements around the Legislative Assembly and the Chief Minister’s residence in the capital, in an attempt to prevent the students from reaching the Assembly complex. The students’ stir in Jharkhand has been ongoing for 17 days, and today’s protest has emerged as the biggest challenge for the state’s administrative machinery.
Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren has criticized the government’s response to the protests, questioning the use of barbed wire and calling it a violation of democratic norms. The students have been gathering in various parts of Ranchi since morning, having arrived from various districts via buses, trains, and private vehicles.
