Three protesters in Jharkhand ended their hunger strike after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of all recruitment exams conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014. The decision came amid ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in job exams, which had sparked a 25-day agitation in Ranchi.
Devendra Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Lok Kalyan Manch (JLKM), had been fasting for 16 days before calling off his hunger strike around midnight on Monday. Two other protesters, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba, also ended their fast, while three others continued their protest. The group has been demonstrating at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium since late July, demanding justice and reforms in the recruitment process.
Exam Irregularities Spark Protests
The protests began after allegations surfaced regarding unfair practices in recruitment exams overseen by TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL), an outsourced agency. Students and activists accused the agency of manipulating results and conducting exams with irregularities, which they claimed compromised the fairness of government job recruitments in Jharkhand.
One of the key exams under scrutiny was the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) exam. The protesters demanded the cancellation of these exams and a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct. The agitation intensified as students staged hunger strikes and public demonstrations, drawing widespread attention to the issue.
Government Responds with Cancellation and Reforms
- Chief Minister Hemant Soren chaired a lengthy cabinet meeting resulting in the cancellation of all recruitment tests conducted by TDPL since 2014.
- The government also annulled the results published by the agency, including the JSSC-CGL exam results.
- An exam reforms committee, led by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal, was formed to recommend measures to improve the recruitment process.
- The state has enacted the Jharkhand Competitive Examination Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment Act to curb malpractices.
The announcement was met with celebrations among protesters, who saw it as a significant victory. Activist Sonam Wangchuk praised the decision, calling it a win for the people of Jharkhand and India. However, some protesters remain unsatisfied, insisting that their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the irregularities has not been met.
Ongoing Demands and Political Reactions
Despite the cancellation, the protest continues as agitators seek a CBI investigation to hold those responsible accountable. Rahul Kranti, one of the protesters receiving medical treatment, stated that the movement would persist until the probe demand is accepted.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren congratulated the students for their struggle and urged for continued vigilance. The opposition BJP has supported the call for a CBI probe, with Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi questioning the government's reluctance to allow an independent investigation.
The government has also revealed that its ongoing probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and a special investigation team has uncovered involvement of multiple companies in a large-scale exam racket. Raids are continuing at the JSSC office and other locations to identify those responsible.
Meanwhile, the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam has sparked protests from candidates who had cleared the test and secured jobs, fearing job losses for around 2,000 individuals. This has added complexity to the situation as the government balances reform efforts with the concerns of successful applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why were the Jharkhand recruitment exams cancelled?
A: The exams were cancelled due to allegations of irregularities and unfair practices by the outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd, which led to widespread protests by students and activists.
Q: What demands are the protesters making?
A: Protesters want the cancellation of all exams conducted by the agency since 2014 and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged exam irregularities.
Q: What steps is the government taking to prevent future exam issues?
A: The government has formed an exam reforms committee to recommend improvements, enacted a law to prevent unfair means in recruitment, and is conducting CID raids to investigate the exam racket.
