Activists in Bihar launch protest over delay of TRE-4 competition, issue ultimatum to government

After three days of negotiations between the state's special ministerial committee and student representatives concluded without results, protesters decided to continue the action by planning an 'assembly siege' for August 10th.

Organizers of the student movements called on participants to avoid any provocations. Students were asked to gather in front of the old Assembly before 10 am, from where they will start a peaceful march to the new Assembly building.

In connection with the upcoming action, the Ranchi district administration has taken strict security measures. Article 163 BNS has been implemented within a 750-meter radius of the new Assembly complex (excluding the Jharkhand High Court).

Previously, on Sunday, during meetings with the government, ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Dipika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Prasad Yadav, and Chamra Linda participated. The government states that it has satisfied about 98 percent of the students' demands. These demands include the cancellation of exams 14th JPSC PT and ACF, verification of TDPL agency exams, and the creation of an expert committee to improve the testing system.

Nevertheless, student representatives insist on their position regarding the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam and conducting a full investigation into this matter through the CBI. Following the negotiations, JMM minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu stated that the CGL exam was conducted under the direct supervision of the Supreme and High Courts, so the state government does not have the authority to cancel the exam or directly order an CBI investigation.

As an alternative, the government proposed transferring the verification of financial operations to the ED, creating an investigative commission chaired by a former judge, and forming an accelerated court to submit a report within 90 days. However, the students completely rejected all these proposals.

Leaders of the student groups reported that protests will continue until all exams conducted by TDPL are canceled and a written order for a full CBI investigation is issued.

In parallel, three members of the JPSC—Azita Bhattacharya, Jamal Ahmed, and Anima Hansada—resigned to the governor.

The Ranchi city police, Pars Rana, reported deploying a large number of police forces to maintain order. He emphasized that students will face no problems if they conduct a peaceful protest, but strict legal measures will be applied in case of attempted violence. He refuted social media reports of 'machine gun shotguns', clarifying that these are actually 'beanbag rifles' used to identify violators by firing soft colored balls in emergencies.

After meeting with government representatives on Sunday, student leader Kunal stated that the protesters will not accept a compromise on the CBI investigation issue. Speaking to the media, he emphasized: 'I want to clarify that our assembly siege program will proceed peacefully. Our demand is a CBI investigation, and we will not compromise on this.'

The student protest in Jharkhand, sparked by alleged irregularities during the JPSC and JSSC examinations, entered its fourteenth day on Friday. Six protesters are on hunger strike at the demonstration taking place at the Jai Pal Singh stadium in Ranchi.

Negotiations took place in the evening between the administration and student representatives, but they failed to reach an agreement on the delegation structure, halting further dialogue. Meanwhile, the CID investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC exam has intensified, with 19 people arrested so far.

According to sources, a meeting between the government and the student delegation is scheduled for the day. The protests began on July 25 under the aegis of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms platform and have become one of the largest student movements in the state in recent years. Protesters demand the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam and an independent investigation by either the CBI or a commission of retired Supreme Court judges of the state. They also insist on significant reforms in JPSC and JSSC.

Late Thursday evening, around ten thirty, SDO Kumar Rajat and ADM of Law and Order Dhannandaj Kumar arrived at the site of the protest and spoke with student representatives. The administration clearly stated that it would only negotiate with official student representatives, while students insisted on their originally approved 11-member delegation, including a journalist and a lawyer.

Despite the night negotiations, no agreement was reached on the composition of the delegation. Student movement leader Ravindra Paswan reported that the SDO assured a positive attitude but did not set a time for the start of negotiations.

The protest also impacted the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, where opposition MPs held a procession and called on the government to wake up, wearing masks on the first day of the monsoon season. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reiterated the demand for a CBI investigation, accusing the state government of playing with the future of students. Minister Hemant Soren had previously stated that the problem of examination material leakage exists across the country, and the government is ready for dialogue.

Due to plans by student organizations to hold demonstrations near the Legislative Assembly on August 7 and 10, the administration imposed restrictive orders under Section 163 within a 750-meter radius of the building from August 6 to 12.

Devendranath Mahto, the leader of the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front, who is on hunger strike, has been fighting for his life for several days, and concern is growing over his health due to a sharp drop in blood sugar and blood pressure. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who conducted a 26-day hunger strike regarding the NEET exam leak in Delhi, spoke with Mahto on the phone and urged him to drink at least water, after which Mahto started drinking.

The Congress party leader also contacted the students by phone and promised any possible assistance. The student leader stated that if the Congress could not put pressure on the Jharkhand government, it should withdraw from the coalition. The BJP called this political posturing.

As part of the CID investigation, former JPSC chairman L. Hiyante was interrogated four times. In connection with Abhay Tiwari, considered the main organizer of the conspiracy, the CID raided his native house in Bengali, Giridih, and detained his father-in-law Vikas Pandey. Both Tiwari's sons-in-law are allegedly absconding, and his wife has not been found. The CID demanded that all 2204 candidates who took the exam submit their carbon OMR sheets by August 7.

Furthermore, the student organization ISA (All India Students Association) will also take to the streets today, Friday, at eleven in the morning. In its post on X, ISA indicated that their first stop would be Birsa Munda Square. ISA named this tour 'Gen-Z Rising.'

Student protests, which started with relatively minor issues such as increased mess fees in hostels, gradually evolved into large-scale movements capable of changing government decisions and influencing the political course in India. These events are part of the rich history of student movements in the country.

Today, students across the country are taking to the streets, raising issues related to the education system, job entrance exams, examination leaks, employment, tuition costs, and other topics. Governments are advised to learn from the past, carefully listen to activists' demands, and consider the mood of the electorate.

In the age of social media, it has become extremely easy to unite over any violations or malpractice. The recent 'Cockroach Janata' party, which emerged from social media, is a prime example of this. However, this is not a new phenomenon; consider other movements that initially did not attract serious attention from the authorities but whose protest voices later managed to shake their positions.

In December 1973, there was an increase of about 20 percent in the mess fee at an engineering college in Gujarat. Students protested against this hike and demanded a reduction in the bill from the administration, but their demands were ignored. This is when the Nav Nirman movement originated. Initially, student protests were confined to the campus, where they held rallies against the administration.

Within a few days, this movement expanded to cover issues of inflation, corruption, and food shortages. Students, teachers, traders, and ordinary citizens joined the protests. The 'Nav Nirman Youth Committee' was formed to maintain discipline within the movement. Soon, the movement spread throughout Gujarat. Due to continuous demonstrations and public pressure on the government, the then Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel was forced to resign, and the Gujarat Assembly was subsequently dissolved. This is considered the first major movement in independent India that compelled the elected state government to step down.

Just a few months after the Gujarat movement, in 1974, students in Bihar began protesting against corruption, unemployment, inflation, and the state of the education system. Students from Patna University organized protests under the banner of the 'Bihar Student Action Committee'. Later, India's hero Jayaprakash Narayan joined this movement, advocating the slogan 'Total Revolution'.

After this, the movement ceased to be exclusively student-led and transformed into a nationwide movement. It exerted immense political pressure on the central government, playing a significant role in subsequent political events, including the 1975 Emergency and the 1977 general elections. Although this movement was not the sole cause of these events, it is considered an important component.

In Assam, the All Assam Students' Union (AASU) initiated protests regarding alleged irregularities in voter lists and illegal immigration. Although the movement started at the local level, it gradually grew into the largest statewide national movement. Numerous strikes and large demonstrations took place over approximately six years. Eventually, the Assam Accord was reached in 1985 between the central government and activists. Following this, student leaders founded the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and came to power. This is considered one of the most successful student movements in India.

In 1990, the central government announced the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations, which provided 27 percent quotas in government services for representatives of other socio-economic classes (OBC). In response, students from many educational institutions across the country, including Delhi University, took to the streets. The protests intensified after the suicide attempt of student Rajiv Goshe in Delhi. Demonstrations took place in many cities, and educational institutions remained under the influence of this movement for a long time. This movement had a profound impact on Indian politics and public discourse.

The strength of student movements persists to this day. Thanks to social media, a protest that begins in any university or college can become the subject of national discussion in just a few hours. Students continue to voice their opinions on issues such as education, job entrance exams, examination leaks, employment, and tuition costs.

India's history shows that student movements cannot be viewed merely as local campus affairs. Often, a protest that starts with a minor demand becomes a societal issue. The voice of students has always been important in democracy, and when this voice unites with broad public support, governments are forced to reconsider their decisions.