Jharkhand Paper Leak Protest: Government Talks Fail to Break Deadlock

AI FEED

Talks between the Jharkhand government and protesting aspirants failed to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Protesters are demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination and other allegedly irregular exams.
The government has promised to place the students’ demands before Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

RANCHI: Jharkhand government held a series of meetings with student organisations on Saturday in an attempt to end the growing agitation over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations. However, the talks failed to break the deadlock, with protesters deciding to continue their movement until their demands are fulfilled.

The discussions came as the agitation over alleged JPSC and JSSC examination irregularities entered its 15th day.

Government Holds Talks With Multiple Student Groups

A five-member government panel comprising state ministers first met the group of protesters led by JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, whose hunger strike had entered its seventh day.

The panel subsequently held meetings with delegations representing the NSUI, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS) and Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM).

The government had also met a 10-member delegation of the JPSC/JSSC Reforms Manch on Friday night.

State minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav, who was part of the government panel, said the demands raised by the aspirants were genuine and would be placed before the Chief Minister.

Cancellation of 14th JPSC Exam Among Key Demands

The Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha submitted five demands, including cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination.

The NSUI put forward six demands, including a CID investigation into JPSC and JSSC examinations under suspicion within 90 days. The organisation also demanded the creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency (JTA) on the lines of the National Testing Agency.

The Adivasi Chhatra Sangh demanded that tribal and regional languages be included as qualifying papers in recruitment examinations. It also sought cancellation of examinations where irregularities were established.

Protesters Seek Independent Investigation

Protesting aspirants are seeking an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities, either through the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.

The protesters have maintained that the existing investigation does not adequately address their concerns.

According to reports, 19 people have so far been arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has also been questioned four times since July 28.

Protest to Continue Despite Government Assurance

After meeting the government panel, a leader of the JPSC JSSC Candidates’ Forum said the government had assured them that it would take a quick decision on their concerns.

However, the protesters made it clear that the agitation would continue until their demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, are addressed.

Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said the government has also created an email address to receive suggestions from aspirants on recruitment reforms.

The government has maintained that the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere and that discrepancies highlighted by students would be examined.