The first round of talks between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations ended on a positive note on Friday, but failed to resolve the deadlock over their demands.

The protesters said they would continue their agitation, including their demand for cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination. They also warned that they would proceed with a planned march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 if the government does not provide concrete assurances by Sunday.

Government Holds Talks With Student Delegation

A 10-member delegation of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch met a government panel headed by Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar. The meeting followed the submission of a revised delegation list by the protesters.

The students had earlier proposed an 11-member delegation, but the government objected to the inclusion of an advocate in the panel. The revised list was subsequently accepted for the talks.

After the meeting, JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch core committee member Ravindra Paswan described the discussions as positive but said the protesters were still awaiting a specific commitment from the government.

“We met the government. The meeting was positive. We want an assurance, and they will convey our message to the chief minister. We will meet again soon,” Paswan said.

He said the protest would continue for now, although the students could reconsider the August 10 Assembly march if the government provided a favourable response.

Students Demand JPSC Exam Cancellation

The protesters are seeking cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities. They have demanded either a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or an inquiry by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.

The students are also demanding comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Education Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the students’ demands had been conveyed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren and indicated that the government was considering their concerns.

“We met the students’ delegation and are sensitive to their concerns. We are ready to consider their demands sympathetically, and the outcome will be visible soon,” Sudivya Kumar told reporters.

“The chief minister is concerned about students and an outcome will come soon,” Dipika Pandey Singh said.

Soren had earlier expressed willingness to engage with the protesters and urged students to bring their grievances before the government.

“We are ready to hold talks. Every student in the state is welcome to place their grievances before us. We will move ahead with strong reforms in line with students’ demands,” he had said.

Hunger Strike Continues Amid Health Concerns

The agitation, launched on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, entered its 15th day on Saturday, with several students continuing an indefinite hunger strike.

Concerns over the health of protesters increased after student leader Rahul Kranti, one of six people on hunger strike, was hospitalised following a deterioration in his condition. Kranti had been fasting since Tuesday night.

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi visited Kranti in hospital and appealed to the protesting students not to put their lives at risk, saying they had a long struggle ahead.

Health Minister Irfan Ansari also met Kranti on the instructions of Chief Minister Soren and said he was receiving medical treatment under the supervision of specialists.

Kranti had earlier alleged that doctors did not visit the protest site despite repeated requests until Friday morning.

Government To Hold Talks With Another Protest Group

Separately, another group of protesters led by Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto has also been invited for talks with the state government.

Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for six days, is leading a separate protest. The group has submitted the names of an eight-member delegation and said it had been called for discussions at 10 am on Saturday at the state guest house.

Political Groups Extend Support

The recruitment examination controversy has attracted support from political and social organisations. Jayant Jaipal Singh, son of tribal leader Jaipal Singh Munda, visited the protest site at the stadium named after his father and extended his support to the students.

He urged protesters to keep “bad elements, miscreants and outsiders” away from the movement and continue their campaign for fair recruitment.

“This ground belongs to students and youth. They are using it for a constructive cause. I fully support their fight for free and fair examinations and for a Jharkhand free from corruption and nepotism,” he said.

The All India Students’ Association (AISA) and the All India Students’ Federation (AISF), both backed by Left parties, also organised a march towards the Assembly in solidarity with the protesting students.

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said it was not associated with the march, while welcoming moral support from other organisations.

Assembly March Disrupted, BJP Demands CBI Probe

The AISA-led march was briefly disrupted near Birsa Chowk after a man allegedly threw ink at AISA national president Neha Bora. Police detained the accused, identified as Amarnath Pandey, for questioning.

Bora alleged that the incident was intended to intimidate the student movement. The BJP described the allegation as a “stage-managed drama”, while the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) denied involvement and condemned the incident.

The recruitment issue also disrupted proceedings in the Jharkhand Assembly, where BJP legislators demanded a court-monitored CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities. The protests forced the House to be adjourned for the day.

Earlier, Minister Sudivya Kumar accused the BJP and the “coaching mafia” of attempting to take over a genuine student movement for political purposes, while urging protesters to continue talks with the government.

Security Tightened Ahead of August 10 March

Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Jharkhand Assembly from August 6 to 12. The restrictions will remain in force between 6 am and 10 pm during the period, ahead of the students’ proposed August 10 march.

So far, 19 people have been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in the JPSC examinations. Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has also been questioned four times since July 28 as the investigation continues.

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