The protest by candidates over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination in Jharkhand is continuing. The demand for transparency in the exam process and the lathi-charge on students has now moved from the streets of Ranchi all the way to the Parliament complex in Delhi.
The candidates are fully mobilised, demanding an impartial investigation into the alleged discrepancies in the 14th JPSC exam and action against those responsible. In this regard, an important meeting of the core committee of the ‘JPSC-JSSC Reform Forum’ was held in Ranchi. The future strategy of the movement was discussed in detail during the meeting, and the students reiterated their resolve to continue their protest until their demands are met.
Meanwhile, the issue of the lathi-charge on protesting students a few days ago has now reached Delhi. BJP MPs staged a protest in the Parliament complex, strongly opposing the Jharkhand government and reiterating their demand for a CBI probe into the entire controversy.
In the meantime, former Chief Minister Raghubar Das met with the protesting students and warned officials not to interfere in the movement. He demanded compensation of one crore rupees each for the families of the 19 affected students. He also said that if orders for a CBI investigation are not issued within a week, he will go on a hunger strike.
On the other hand, the state government has called the opposition’s allegations nothing more than an attempt at politicisation. Ministers from the Congress quota – Radhakrishna Kishore, Irfan Ansari, Deepika Pandey Singh – and Shilpi Neha Tirkey issued a joint statement saying the BJP is trying to take political advantage of this sensitive issue concerning students. They said that the government led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren is fully sensitive toward the youth and is committed to a fair resolution of every irregularity related to examinations.
For now, the deadlock between the students and the government continues, and all eyes are now on what direction this movement takes next.
