Sonam Wangchuk urges Jharkhand hunger striker to drink water amid JPSC exam protest
Activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to a Jharkhand job aspirant on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged recruitment exam irregularities to at least drink water, as protests demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination continue to gather momentum.
Wangchuk spoke to Devendra Nath Mahto on Wednesday after learning that his blood sugar and blood pressure levels were falling during the fast. Acting on Wangchuk's advice, Mahto drank water on the fourth day of his hunger strike.
Mahto, a member of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, has been observing the fast at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Wangchuk himself had recently completed a 26-day fast in Delhi over the NEET paper leak issue.
The protest intensified on Tuesday night when five more people, under the banner of the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, began an indefinite hunger strike. With their participation, the number of people fasting at the protest site has risen to six.
Why are JPSC aspirants protesting?
The protesters have been demonstrating since July 25, demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and reforms in both the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
They are also seeking an investigation into the alleged recruitment examination irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand.
JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch spokesperson Jivan Kumar said five people, including two women, joined the hunger strike on Tuesday night to press for the group's demands. He added that the core committee would soon decide on organising a Tiranga March in support of the protesting students.
Among those fasting, Sabita Kumari said they were "forced" to adopt the hunger strike as the government had not acted on their demands.
Another protester, Habiba, appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, saying, "The CM is like our guardian. When children are hungry, a guardian also feels pain. So, we hope that he will listen to our grievances and demands."
She added, "The chief minister says the government is sensitive. It may be, but we want action and justice, not assurance."
What has the Jharkhand government said?
Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns of the protesting job aspirants seriously and that a decision would be announced at an appropriate time.
"With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," Soren told reporters in Ranchi.
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi backed the protesters, calling their demands genuine. He urged the government to cancel the 14th JPSC examination and hand over the investigation to the CBI, alleging that the ongoing CID probe was intended to cover up the issue.
Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar also called for a judicial probe headed by a sitting high court judge. He demanded that all JPSC officials be dismissed and that the results of recently conducted examinations be cancelled. The Congress is a key ally in the Hemant Soren-led government.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Police's CID has arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged recruitment irregularities. The JPSC has also postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, originally scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances" amid the protests.
As part of its investigation, the CID has questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and conducted raids at 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad.
With PTI inputs