Students from Jharkhand have been protesting since July 25 over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC exams. Despite numerous rounds of negotiations between the students and government representatives, no solution has yet been found. Consequently, the protesters announced that if their demands are not met, they will surround the chief minister's residence on August 20.
Today marks the 24th day of the protest. The leader of the student movement, Devendra Nath Mahto, has been on a hunger strike since August 2. His condition is deteriorating, but he insists that the hunger strike will continue until the students' demands are fulfilled.
The protesters claim that they initially presented their demands peacefully. They held peaceful consultations with the chief minister's delegation, but no decisions regarding their issues have been made yet. Students also stated that if their demands are not addressed today, they will block the head of the government's residence on August 20.
One of the protesters challenged opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, calling on him to join the movement. Protester Baha Linda stated that if Rahul Gandhi criticizes the beating with sticks, he should appear and support them. He added that if Rahul Gandhi is truly dissatisfied with the beating of students, he must withdraw his support for Hemant Soren's government and side with the students.
The protesters accuse the government of having outsiders occupying government positions. They also state that land is being sold under the guise of state development. Finally, they reiterated the threat to blockade the chief minister's residence on August 20 if their demands remain unsatisfied.
