The Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, announced on Wednesday that the state government is examining allegations of irregularities in the entrance examinations organized by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) with 'maximum seriousness and sensitivity'.
He assured students that justice would be restored within the framework of constitutional and legal norms.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren made a statement on Tuesday regarding the ongoing dispute over personnel recruitment. He stated that the government is examining the concerns of protesting candidates with 'full seriousness' and that decisions will be made 'in due course' after a thorough review of all aspects of alleged irregularities in the recruitment exams.
These assurances came as hundreds of candidates continue an indefinite sit-in protest at the Jayaprakash Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since July 29. They have intensified their demands, insisting on an independent commission—composed of retired high court judges from other states—investigating alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and other recruitment exams.
Soren told reporters in Ranchi that 'decisions concerning their demands and issues will be announced in due course following careful scrutiny and full seriousness. I am confident that the protesters will be pacified,' according to PTI agency.
Responding to questions about the current investigation, the head of the government noted that investigative agencies are looking into every allegation related to the recruitment exams. He added that 'as the investigative team becomes more active, all instances of errors that have occurred or are occurring are being carefully examined, and once everything is clear, government decisions will certainly follow.'
However, the protesters claim that the government under JMM is trying to 'wash' the issue by assigning the investigation to the state CID. Previously, they demanded investigations by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), asserting that large-scale financial transactions are linked to an alleged corruption scheme in recruitment.
On Tuesday, they adjusted their demand, requesting an investigation by an independent commission of retired high court judges who are not residents of Jharkhand. Vinay Mehta, a candidate from Hazaribagh, told PTI: 'We have completely lost faith in the current CID investigation.'
He alleged that during a previous investigation into JSSC-CGL material leaks, the CID itself discovered that answers to 135 out of 150 questions had been leaked, with 120 questions matching the examination paper exactly, but claimed that no significant action followed the candidates providing evidence.
Mehta demanded: 'Therefore, we demand that the investigation be handed over either to the CBI or an independent body of retired High Court judges, excluding any judge from Jharkhand.'
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Ragubar Das also urged Soren to engage in direct dialogue with the protesting students and consider their demand for a CBI investigation. Speaking at a press conference in Jamshedpur, Das said he wrote to the Chief Minister asking him to start a conversation with the protesting youth.
Das emphasized: 'Students have not taken to the streets without reason. They are protesting against serious allegations of corruption and irregularities in recruitment. The government must talk to them directly and ensure justice, including considering their demand for a CBI investigation.'
He clarified that he wrote the letter not as a former chief minister or for any political purpose, but as a person who understands student movements, recalling that his own political journey began during the JP movement in 1974.
Das also stated that the protesting students are not being provided with basic amenities such as tents, drinking water, or medical aid, despite their peaceful protest. He warned that the protest could escalate into a wider mass movement if the government does not address their grievances.
Comparing the situation to the NEET material leak case, Das noted that the Centre acted quickly, canceling the exam, ordering a CBI investigation, and conducting a re-examination within a few days. He questioned why a similar approach is not being adopted in Jharkhand.
The indefinite sit-in protest by candidates entered its second week on Tuesday, with protesters confirming they will continue their peaceful demonstration unless an independent oversight is appointed. Protesters also announced they will mark the first anniversary of the death of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren with a march to his residence.
They also warned of escalating protests if their demands remain unfulfilled, including a planned gherao (siege) of the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10. The movement has received support from several organizations. On Monday, the regional unit of the All India Students' Association (AISA) held a demonstration regarding alleged recruitment fraud and announced a march to the Assembly on August 7.
On Sunday, the Cockroach Janta Party also supported the protests, while one of the protest leaders, Devendra Nath Mahto, has been on an indefinite hunger strike since Sunday, demanding a central agency investigate the alleged recruitment irregularities.
Meanwhile, JMM MP Kalpana Soren, wife of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, stated that the state government is 'very sensitive' to the issues raised by the protesters and is working on ways to resolve the situation.
The CID has currently arrested 11 people in connection with alleged irregularities in the JPSC exams. The Commission postponed the Main Civil Services Exam, originally scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing 'unforeseen circumstances' amid growing protests. The CID has also questioned former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and conducted raids at 18 locations in Ranchi, Palmu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro, and Dhanbad as part of the investigation into alleged recruitment irregularities.
