Jharkhand bandh disrupts normal life as BJP protests police action against job aspirants. The recruitment exam row is also under CID and ED investigation.
Jharkhand: Normal life was disrupted across parts of Jharkhand on Tuesday as the BJP enforced a state-wide bandh against police action during a protest by job aspirants demanding reforms and an investigation into alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
The bandh began at 8 am and was scheduled to continue until midnight, with essential services excluded.
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Several schools and business establishments remained closed, while traffic movement was significantly reduced in Ranchi and other parts of the state.
In Ranchi, BJP workers blocked roads in Kishorganj, Argora and Kanke. Police also reported that tyres were burnt at Harmu Chowk and Kishorganj Chowk.
The shutdown was called after police used water cannons, tear gas and batons during Monday's protest march towards the Jharkhand assembly.
Why are job aspirants protesting?
Job aspirants have been protesting since July 25, seeking greater transparency in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The protesters are demanding reforms in the functioning of the two commissions, cancellation of certain examinations and an independent investigation into alleged irregularities.
They have also sought a probe by the CBI or a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand.
What happened during Monday's protest?
Thousands of job aspirants marched towards the assembly in Ranchi on Monday.
According to police, protesters breached several barricades and clashed with personnel. Police subsequently used water cannons near Jagannathpur Temple and fired tear gas as the protesters moved towards the assembly.
Several protesters said they were injured. Ranchi Police said 14 policemen were injured during the confrontation.
The BJP described the police action as "atrocities" against students and accused the JMM-led government of using force instead of addressing their demands.
BJP demands independent probe
BJP state president Aditya Sahu accused the government of treating protesting students like criminals and demanded an end to what he called "barbaric action".
The party has backed the demand for an independent investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has also condemned the alleged police action and planned a Vidhan Sabha March from the old assembly premises to the new assembly complex.
Rahul Gandhi backs students' right to protest
Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the use of force against the protesters.
"Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions," Gandhi said, urging the Jharkhand government to listen to the protesters and address their concerns.
BJP leaders responded by accusing Gandhi of double standards, pointing to the Congress' participation in the Hemant Soren-led state government.
Hemant Soren urges dialogue
Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed to the protesters to maintain peace and resolve their grievances through dialogue.
Soren said students have a democratic right to raise their concerns and assured them that their demands would be examined seriously and sensitively.
He also accused opposition leaders of attempting to use the agitation for political purposes and urged students not to fall into what he described as a "political trap".
The chief minister said his government was committed to making the recruitment examination system more transparent, secure and accountable.
ED begins money laundering probe
The protest comes as the recruitment examination controversy enters a new investigative phase.
The Enforcement Directorate has launched a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment examinations, with particular focus on the JSSC-CGL examination.
The agency took cognisance of a state CID FIR and other complaints and chargesheets to begin proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Former JPSC chief arrested
The Jharkhand CID has also arrested L Khiangte, a former JPSC chairperson, in connection with the alleged irregularities.
Khiangte, a retired IAS officer and former Jharkhand chief secretary, had been questioned four times since July 28.
His arrest brought the number of people arrested by the state agency in the case to 20.
The development came a day after all three serving JPSC members — Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmad — resigned amid continuing protests and the CID investigation.
Hunger strike leader's health deteriorates
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike for nine days, was admitted to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his blood sugar level fell sharply.
Doctors described his condition as critical.
Despite his deteriorating health, Mahto joined Monday's protest march in an ambulance and later addressed demonstrators.
He accused police of attempting to suppress the agitation and said he would continue to press for the students' demands.
Government says some demands already accepted
The Jharkhand government has maintained that it has already accepted several demands raised by the protesters.
However, the continuing agitation, political confrontation and ongoing investigations have kept the recruitment examination issue at the centre of state politics.
Analysis and explainer
The Jharkhand recruitment controversy has now moved beyond a student protest and into a wider political and investigative dispute.
The immediate trigger for the BJP bandh was Monday's confrontation between protesters and police. The BJP has used the incident to accuse the JMM-led government of suppressing students, while the government has stressed dialogue and accused opposition leaders of politicising the agitation.
At the same time, the ED's money laundering probe and the CID's arrests have added a significant investigative dimension to the controversy. The resignation of all three serving JPSC members and the arrest of former chairperson L Khiangte have further increased pressure on the recruitment bodies.
The key issue for job aspirants remains whether recruitment examinations will be conducted transparently and whether alleged irregularities will be independently investigated. The government's response, the ongoing CID and ED investigations and the demands for an external probe are likely to shape the next phase of the dispute.
Published: 11 Aug 2026, 10:15 am IST
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