Sudesh Mahto, president of the All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), has expressed support for the ongoing protests in Ranchi by jobseekers regarding alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. The protests are focusing on issues surrounding the functioning of government hiring agencies, particularly the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Mahto has characterised the current state of these agencies as a “marketplace for selling jobs,” prompting demands for greater transparency and accountability.

The protests are taking place at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where candidates are calling for the cancellation of several exams, including those for the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC CGL) and other recent evaluations since 2019. Protestors are also seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged irregularities, as well as strict measures against individuals and organisations believed to be involved in corrupt practices.

Mahto stated that the demonstrators are merely seeking justice and a fair chance at employment opportunities. He remarked on the urgent need to remove current office-bearers responsible for the recruitment processes, advocating for new leadership comprised of “competent and relevant individuals.” In addition, he called for the implementation of a recruitment calendar similar to those utilised by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC).

Demands of the Protestors

Among the key demands by the protestors are the disclosure of category-wise cut-off marks — including those for Unreserved (UR), Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Backward Classes (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) — as well as access to OMR answer sheets and response sheets. These requests emphasise the need for transparency in the examination and recruitment process.

The students’ movement reflects broader concerns regarding the integrity of hiring practices in the state. Mahto highlighted that the ongoing protests were not only about students but also about ensuring future generations have fair access to opportunities that should arise from a transparent and just recruitment process.

The protest situation has intensified with the deteriorating health condition of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is currently on an indefinite hunger strike. This has raised alarm among fellow protestors, as he approaches the 15th day of his fast, advocating for a thorough examination of the practices surrounding the JPSC and JSSC examinations.

Government Response to the Protests

A meeting took place between members of a four-member delegation from the state government and an eleven-member team representing the protestors at the State Guest House in Ranchi. Following this meeting, Jharkhand Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu announced the establishment of a dedicated email address to gather suggestions from students and other stakeholders concerning policy reforms in recruitment processes.

The creation of this communication channel signals the government’s recognition of the need for reform and seeks to involve aspirants in the conversation about changes in recruitment methodologies. The administration is encouraged by this initiative, hoping it will lead to constructive dialogue and resolution of the current issues surrounding the hiring process.

Through this move, the government aims to streamline the recruitment process and restore trust among potential candidates. Students and stakeholders are urged to utilise the newly introduced email platform to share their suggestions for improvement, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns raised during the protests.

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