Ranchi: JPSC and JSSC aspirants protesting in Ranchi over alleged examination irregularities have accused police of using lathis and water cannons during their 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march, with an injured protester claiming that at least 100 young people were subjected to lathicharge.

What happened during the Ranchi protest?

Jharkhand Police used lathis and water cannons on Monday to control a crowd of JPSC and JSSC aspirants who had marched towards the state Legislative Assembly in Ranchi.

The protesters have been demonstrating over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), including the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination.

An injured protester, identified as Shivam, alleged that police began the lathicharge without warning while students were waiting outside the Assembly.

"We were sitting outside the Legislative Assembly, waiting for the government (officials or leaders) to come and provide a response," he said.

He alleged that police then started the lathicharge and claimed that at least 100 young people were injured or subjected to the action.

Protester alleges injuries after police action

Shivam said he was struck on his back and chest, while his brother was hit on the arm.

He also claimed that several protesters were experiencing severe pain after the police action.

The protesters have also been on hunger strike for nine days, according to Shivam's account.

Another injured protester, Vikram Kumar, described the demonstration as peaceful and criticised the police response.

"Hemant Soren ji, you should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not even hurl any abuses. Suddenly, the police launched a lathicharge. This is not good," Kumar said.

The allegations made by the protesters could not, from the supplied report, be independently established.

What are the students demanding?

The protesting JPSC and JSSC aspirants are demanding:

  • Cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination
  • A CBI investigation into alleged examination irregularities
  • Reforms in the state's recruitment and examination process

The aspirants have maintained that their demands have not been fully accepted by the Jharkhand government.

Hemant Soren says government will address demands

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said students have the right to raise their concerns and that the government would address their demands.

In a post on X, Soren thanked administrative and police officials for handling the situation with "restraint, sensitivity, and a deep sense of responsibility".

"My dear young friends, you raised your voices peacefully regarding your demands. In a democracy, you have the right to express your views, and it is the government's responsibility to respect your voice," Soren said.

He added that senior ministers had been in dialogue with the protesters and assured students that their demands would be considered seriously.

Soren also said the government was working towards making the examination system more transparent, technology-enabled, secure and accountable.

BJP attacks Hemant Soren government

The protest also triggered criticism from the opposition BJP.

BJP state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri accused the Hemant Soren-led government of refusing to listen to students.

Bauri claimed that he and others had gone to meet Soren at his residence to discuss student-related issues but were allegedly kept waiting for about 11 hours.

Calling the government "dictatorial", Bauri criticised its handling of the protest and warned that the issue could have political consequences in the upcoming elections.

His remarks were political allegations against the state government and were not independently established in the supplied report.

ED registers case over alleged JPSC irregularities

The protest comes as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a separate investigation into alleged irregularities linked to examinations conducted by the JPSC.

The agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Monday in connection with the alleged examination irregularities.

The development adds another layer to the controversy surrounding recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, with protesters simultaneously seeking a CBI probe.

Analysis: Why the JPSC-JSSC protest matters

The Ranchi confrontation brings together three major issues: allegations of irregularities in government recruitment examinations, demands for an independent investigation and concerns over how authorities handle student protests.

For the protesters, cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe remain central demands. The ED's registration of an ECIR separately indicates that alleged irregularities are also being examined under the money-laundering law.

The government's position is that it is engaging with students and working to improve the recruitment system. Soren has also said that those found guilty would not be spared.

The competing accounts of Monday's protest — with students alleging excessive police action and the government highlighting administrative and police restraint — are likely to keep the handling of the demonstration under scrutiny.

The immediate focus is expected to remain on the condition of injured protesters, the government's response to the students' demands and the investigations into the alleged examination irregularities.