Ranchi: The standoff between the Jharkhand government and aspirants protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations is set to continue into another day, with a fresh round of discussions scheduled for Sunday even as the health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto deteriorated during his hunger strike.
The protest, which began on July 25 at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has now entered its 16th day. Several rounds of discussions between the government and different student organisations over the past two days failed to produce a settlement.
Mahto’s condition raises concern
Mahto, who has been on an indefinite fast for around a week, reportedly experienced a sharp deterioration in his health around 3 am. Doctors monitoring him recorded his blood glucose level at 53.
The development has added urgency to the ongoing negotiations, with protesters continuing to demand concrete action on alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.
Government to hold another round of talks
After discussions with multiple student groups remained inconclusive, the government decided to convene another meeting with representatives of the protesting aspirants at around noon on Sunday.
The decision followed a meeting between Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the government’s five-member panel on Saturday evening. The panel briefed the Chief Minister about the demands raised during separate discussions with student organisations.
Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the government had decided to make another attempt to resolve the dispute through dialogue.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Sudivya Kumar also said the government remained open to suggestions on improving the recruitment system. An email facility has been provided for aspirants to submit recommendations related to examination reforms.
Protesters accuse government of dividing movement
The announcement of another round of talks, however, was met with criticism from the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, one of the groups leading the agitation.
Manch leader Ravindra Paswan accused the government of attempting to weaken the movement by holding separate discussions with different student organisations. He alleged that such meetings could create divisions among aspirants.
The organisation said its representatives had already presented their demands during a detailed meeting with the government panel on Friday night and maintained that the protesters remained united.
Different groups submit demands
The government held discussions with organisations including NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh during Saturday.
The JCM sought, among other measures, cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination. NSUI called for a CID investigation into examinations facing allegations of irregularities and proposed the creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency on the model of the National Testing Agency.
The Adivasi Chhatra Sangh raised issues concerning tribal and regional languages in recruitment examinations and demanded cancellation of tests where irregularities were established.
Despite the talks, the principal protesting groups have refused to withdraw their agitation. They have warned of an Assembly march on August 10 if their demands are not addressed by Sunday.
Multiple student outfits join agitation
The recruitment controversy has also drawn participation from other student organisations. The All India Students’ Association established a presence at the protest site on Saturday, while its leaders said they were supporting the same demands rather than launching a separate movement.
AISA members are expected to participate in the proposed August 10 Assembly march.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has also been protesting over the issue. Its members clashed with police while attempting to cross barricades near the Chief Minister’s residence on Friday. Several protesters were detained and later released, according to police.
ABVP has announced another Assembly march for August 11.
19 arrested in examination-related case
The agitation comes amid an investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations. Nineteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the case, while former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
With the student movement continuing and the health of the fasting leader becoming a major concern, Sunday’s proposed talks could prove crucial in determining whether the government and protesting aspirants can finally find common ground.
