The students’ agitation over the JPSC and JSSC examination controversy entered its thirteenth day today in Jharkhand. Students continue their protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, pressing for their demands. Meanwhile, the issue has triggered uproar both inside and outside the Jharkhand Assembly on the opening day of the Monsoon Session.

 

On the first day of the Jharkhand Assembly’s Monsoon Session, BJP and NDA legislators staged a strong protest in the Assembly premises over the JPSC examination controversy. Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister and a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

 

Earlier, a BJP delegation visited the protest site and met the agitating students. Senior BJP leader Amar Bauri alleged that ministerial quotas had influenced the recruitment process. Responding to the allegations, Minister Sudivya Kumar said that relatives of political leaders had secured government jobs during the BJP’s tenure, and therefore the party had no moral authority to raise such charges. Minister Chamra Linda, meanwhile, said that the real culprits were the examination mafia, not the ruling party or the Opposition.

 

Meanwhile, the CID, which is probing the case, has arrested five more accused from Ranchi and Lucknow, including an accountant of TDPL Company. With these arrests, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to nineteen.

 

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed that the investigation be conducted impartially and without any discrimination. A high-level committee comprising four ministers is expected to hold talks with the protesting students today in an effort to resolve the issue. Attention is now focused on the outcome of the proposed talks and the CID’s further course of action.