Surendra Soren
Ranchi
The agitation alleging irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations intensified on Tuesday as the protest entered its 11th day. Protesters also organised a tribute march on the first death anniversary of former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder and tribal leader Shibu Soren, while student leader Devendra Nath Mahto continued his indefinite hunger strike for the third consecutive day.
Hundreds of students participating in the ongoing agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium marched to Albert Ekka Chowk, paying homage to Shibu Soren and describing him as an inspiration for their movement. The protesters said they were drawing strength from his lifelong struggle for the rights of tribal communities and would continue their campaign peacefully.
“Today is Dishom Guru’s first death anniversary. We are following the path shown by him and have organised this tribute march in his memory,” one of the protesting students said.
The demonstrators reiterated their demand for a transparent and corruption-free recruitment system, alleging irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. They urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to hold talks with the protesting students and address their concerns through dialogue.
Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto remained on an indefinite hunger strike, which entered its third day. According to organisers, a large number of youths, parents and supporters gathered at the protest site to express solidarity with the movement.
Mahto said the agitation had reached a decisive stage in the fight for the rights and future of Jharkhand’s youth. Referring to the legacy of Shibu Soren, he said the movement would continue until the government takes concrete steps to ensure a fair investigation into the alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations and establishes a transparent recruitment process.
“This is not a fight for any individual or political party. It is a struggle for the future and dignity of lakhs of unemployed youths and their parents,” Mahto said.
Organisers said Mahto’s health had deteriorated after three days without food or water. They claimed his blood pressure and blood sugar levels had dropped significantly and that he was experiencing severe weakness, dehydration and body pain. Following medical advice, intravenous fluids were administered at the protest site.
The protesters maintained that their movement would remain peaceful while continuing to press for transparency, accountability and justice in the state’s recruitment examinations. They appealed to the government to engage with the agitating students and take steps to restore confidence in the recruitment process.
