Protesters in Ranchi express dissatisfaction with government decision after cancellation of JSSC CGL and TDPL exams

Amidst the ongoing student movement in Jharkhand, which has lasted for 24 days, the government, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, made a significant decision on Monday. Following a special Cabinet meeting, the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam, as well as all related exams, results, and appointments from the agency TDPL, was announced.

However, this decision triggered a new wave of protests. Applicants who successfully passed the JSSC-CGL exam, some of whom had already secured jobs, took to the streets in front of the Project Bhawan building in Ranchi. They argue that they were selected through a fair process and insist on an investigation to address violations instead of a complete cancellation of the entire exam.

One of those gathered in front of Project Bhawan told ANI that they participated in the selection process based on principles of fairness, so they question why such steps are being taken. He proposed conducting an audit, and if violations are found, they should be excluded, stating his support for the government. Another applicant noted that he took to the streets after the government's decision. These protesters claim their selection was impeccable and appeal to the government to identify the culprits and take action instead of canceling the entire exam, thus not destroying the future of those who worked hard.

Leaders of the JPSC-JSSC Reform platform, gathered at the Jai Pal Singh Munda stadium, consider the cancellation of JSSC-CGL their main victory. Although the leader of the student movement, Devendra Nat Mahto, has stepped down, representatives of the platform emphasize that the demand for an investigation by the CBI remains unfulfilled, meaning the movement is not entirely over.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that all activities related to TDPL, including exams, results, and selections, would be annulled. Furthermore, the CID will investigate all violations that occurred since 2014, and a committee will be formed to improve examination procedures.

Thus, on one side are students who have held pickets for months, claiming corruption in the system, and on the other are applicants who got jobs after passing the exam, who now fear a sudden loss of everything. Young people from both sides are visible in the streets of Ranchi today.

On one hand, there is a celebration of victory; on the other, there is the fear of losing the future. The discussion about recruitment in Jharkhand has moved beyond the cancellation of the exam; the question arises of how to protect honest candidates and punish the guilty without completely restarting the entire system.

Among the youth protesting in Ranchi and holding demonstrations for the past 20 days, one main question is being raised: if the government can cancel the 14th JPSC exams and delayed exams, why is it hesitant about canceling the JSSC-CGL exam?

Recently, government representative and minister Hemant Soren, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, held extensive negotiations with student delegations. The government claims to have met '98% of student demands,' but it has categorically refused to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam, which has caused the most resonance.

The government's main argument is legal in nature. Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu stated that the JSSC-CGL exam was conducted under the supervision and in accordance with the directives of the Supreme and High Courts. In the government's view, the regional government does not have the right to unilaterally cancel an exam when the matter is under the oversight of higher courts. Cancellation without strong legal grounds would lead to judicial review proceedings.

The second argument is that the CGL exam process has already advanced significantly: results have been published, and many successful candidates have already started working in their appointed positions. In this situation, canceling the entire exam could lead to already selected candidates filing lawsuits, halting the entire process for years.

Students demand the complete cancellation of the CGL exam and an investigation into the matter by the CBI. However, the government took the opposite stance and rejected the request for a CBI investigation. Instead, the government proposed an inquiry through the CID and suggested creating a monitoring committee chaired by a 'retired judge.' The government added that if the CID investigation finds evidence of large financial transactions, it will approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for an investigation, but the exam will not be canceled under any circumstances.

Protesting students (JPSC-JSSC Nyay Manch candidates) completely reject the government's arguments. Leaders of the student movements claim that the government is spreading falsehoods about meeting 98% of the demands. In fact, out of 13 disputed exams, only three were canceled (the preliminary stage of the 14th JPSC and the delayed JPSC exams of 2023 and 2025). Students believe that since there is full evidence of material leakage and fraud by the TDPL agency, canceling the exam under the pretext of court action only protects the syndicate.