Job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations have announced plans to gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s official residence on August 20. The protesters are demanding accountability over the alleged irregularities, cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI investigation.
The announcement came on Saturday, the 22nd day of the students’ indefinite strike, during which protesters also held a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Jharkhand.
Why Are JPSC-JSSC Aspirants Protesting?
The protesting students have alleged irregularities in the examinations and have been demanding an independent investigation. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch has sought either a CBI probe or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand. Piyush Singh, spokesperson for the organisation, said the protesters had so far followed a peaceful approach but were now seeking accountability from the government. The students have specifically demanded the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities.
“We have been pleading the government in a Gandhian way till now. But our demands have been falling on deaf ear. We are today announcing to gherao the chief minister residence on August 20. We are reiterating our demands to cancel JSSC -CGL exam and order CBI inquiry. If they don’t, we will march to the chief minister residence and keep sitting there until our demands are met,” Singh told reporters.
What Did Protesters Demand From Congress?
The protesting students have also urged the Congress to withdraw its support from the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand if their concerns are not addressed. Manch leader Ravindra Paswan claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had spoken to the protesters over the phone but said they wanted concrete action rather than symbolic assurances. The protesters have also demanded accountability over the alleged examination irregularities and reiterated their call for an independent probe.
