Jharkhand Congress Working President Bandhu Tirkey has shown his solidarity with students protesting various alleged irregularities in competitive examinations by sending breakfast packets. The demonstration is taking place at the Jaipal Singh stadium, where students have gathered to voice concerns over alleged corruption, paper leaks, and other discrepancies related to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examinations.

A distributor responsible for the delivery stated that Tirkey opted not to visit the protest site in person. This decision was made to prevent the situation from turning into a politicised affair. According to him, “Bandhu Tirkey has extended his support to this cause. In light of the students’ demands, he arranged for packets of refreshments to be sent here. He did not come in person specifically to ensure that the situation would not become politicised.”

Tirkey’s actions highlight his intent to provide assistance while keeping the focus on the students’ genuine demands. By choosing to stay away from the protest, he aims to avoid any form of political manipulation regarding the students’ cause.

Student Perspectives on the Protests

Students participating in the protest expressed their appreciation for the support, asserting their role as representatives of the youth across the state and nation. One protester articulated, “We welcome this support, because we are not merely students of a specific institution here; we represent students from across the state and the entire country, and we are the voice of the coming generation.”

They called for more engagement and additional support to ensure that their grievances are addressed. The protestors conveyed a desire for delegations to present their case to the government, emphasising the importance of structural reforms in the examination process. “All we want is for our demands to be addressed; we want you to send a delegation and present our case so that we can pack up our belongings and leave,” the protester added.

The ongoing protests stem from a series of controversies—including exam leaks and administrative decisions—that students argue have severely affected their future career prospects. By rallying together, they seek accountability and reform within the recruitment examination framework in Jharkhand.

Ongoing Activism and Demands

On August 2, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato initiated an indefinite hunger strike at the same venue, intending to push their agenda further. Mahato stated his commitment to continue the hunger strike until the demands submitted to Chief Minister Hemant Soren are addressed. “To ensure that the students’ morale is maintained, I am sitting on a hunger strike to take this fight forward,” he mentioned.

He also called for the cancellation of the Preliminary Test for the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Combined Civil Services Examination and for a review of examinations managed by Third Party Logistics (TDPL) agencies. Mahato expressed, “First, we will ensure that the Preliminary Test for the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission is cancelled and make sure that examinations happening through TDPL agencies are looked into.”

The rise in student activism in Ranchi is evident, with previous demonstrations at Bapu Vatika in Morabadi leading to this escalated protest. Students continue to seek both accountability and reform within the examination system of the state, indicating a significant shift in student engagement and activism in Jharkhand.

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