The students' agitation in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC competitive examinations entered its 15th day on Saturday, with the second round of talks between the Jharkhand government and protesting students ending without a breakthrough.
The students have been protesting over alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). They have demanded the cancellation of the disputed examinations, alleging that irregularities have compromised the fairness and credibility of the recruitment process. The students have said their protest will continue until their demand is addressed.
The meeting, held at the State Guest House in Ranchi's Morabadi, lasted nearly one hour and 45 minutes and was attended by four state ministers along with members of a student delegation associated with the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front.
During the discussions, the students reiterated that their protest would continue until the disputed examinations are completely cancelled. They also reaffirmed their decision to proceed with the previously announced Assembly gherao on August 10.
Representing the government, ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Chamara Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav heard the concerns raised by the students and appealed to them to suspend their sit-in protest.
The government maintained that it is committed to ensuring transparency in the examination system. Speaking after the meeting, Sudivya Kumar Sonu said consultations would not be restricted to a single organisation and that the government would seek suggestions from youths and stakeholders across the state.
To facilitate the process, the government has launched a dedicated feedback email ID for examination reforms. Citizens and students have been invited to submit their recommendations, which, he said, would be considered while framing a comprehensive policy.
The minister further said that the dialogue process would continue and that the government would engage with other student groups as well. He also accused opposition parties of attempting to politicise the issue, asserting that the government had acted sensitively from the outset by ordering a CID probe, conducting raids and making arrests in connection with the alleged irregularities.
The protesting students, however, remained firm on their core demand. Student leaders said they would not withdraw the agitation and would continue their movement until the examinations in question are cancelled.
The first round of talks between the government and the students, held on Friday, had also failed to produce any concrete outcome. With both sides sticking to their respective positions, the deadlock over the JPSC-JSSC examination row remains unresolved.
