Roshan Kumar
Ranchi
Protests intensified on the second day of the Jharkhand Assembly’s Monsoon Session over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The NDA opposition MLAs—led by Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi along with members from the BJP, AJSU, and LJP—staged a demonstration inside the assembly premises prior to the day’s proceedings.
Stalling proceedings on the second day of the Monsoon Session, the Opposition MLAs trooped into the well of the House, raising slogans like “Hemant Soren quit office”. Amid the ruckus created by the saffron party legislators, Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato urged them to go back to their seats.
The NDA lawmakers raising slogans in support of the protesting students, accused the Hemant Soren-led government of ignoring student grievances.
Opposition leaders demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and insisted on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the 14th JPSC Civil Services exam and other competitive tests. Babulal Marandi questioned the government’s reluctance to engage in dialogue, stating that why is the government shying away from holding talks with the students? The administration is intentionally avoiding dialogue out of sheer stubbornness.
Nirmal Mahato (AJSU) staged a unique protest and alleged that JPSC and JSSC exam seats are being sold, accusing the government of making excuses to avoid holding genuine talks.
Naveen Jaiswal (BJP) called out the hypocrisy within the ruling coalition, pointing out that Rahul Gandhi speaks directly with students rather than taking up the matter with the Chief Minister, despite Congress being a coalition partner in the state government.
Another BJP MLA Neera Yadav termed the previous CID probe and government invitations to students a “propaganda stunt,” emphasizing that opposition support for student agitation will continue until a CBI inquiry is ordered.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari defended the government, stating that the state remains open to discussions despite errors found in the list of demands submitted by the students. He accused the BJP of playing political games from behind the scenes.
Minister Ansari noted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had already interacted with the protesting students, assuring them that the government would review their demands and reach an amicable solution.
