Jharkhand Exam Stir: Govt to Hold Fresh Talks Amid Student Leader’s Deteriorating Health
In a bid to break the deadlock, the Jharkhand government has decided to hold fresh talks with student groups protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities. The decision comes after a series of meetings between the government and student groups on Friday night and throughout Saturday failed to yield any results.
Government’s Efforts to Break the Deadlock
The Hemant Soren government held discussions with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, a key student faction spearheading the agitation, on Friday night. However, the talks remained inconclusive. The government then held four rounds of talks with different student groups, including the Congress-backed NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM), and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS), on Saturday. Despite the efforts, the meetings failed to break the deadlock.
Student Leader’s Health Deteriorates
Meanwhile, the condition of student leader Devenedra Nath Mahto, who has been on indefinite hunger strike for around a week now at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Stadium, suddenly deteriorated around 3 am. Doctors recorded his blood glucose level at 53, raising concerns about his health.
Government Accused of ‘Political Manoeuvring’
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch accused the Jharkhand government of “political manoeuvring” by announcing another round of talks with student organisations. The faction alleged that the move was aimed at creating divisions among protesting students and diverting people’s attention from their core demands.
Government Denies Allegations
The government, however, denied the allegations, saying that the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere and that it was considering the concerns raised by the protesting aspirants. Rural Development Minister Dipika Pandey Singh said that the panel had apprised the chief minister of the demands and concerns raised by student delegations during the discussions.
Student Groups to Continue Agitation
Despite the talks, the protesters have maintained that their agitation will continue until all their demands are fulfilled. They have also announced a march to the Assembly on August 10 if the government fails to meet their demands by Sunday.
Multiple Student Groups Join the Agitation
The All India Students’ Association (AISA) has set up a separate platform at the stadium, but its leaders said the move should not be seen as a separate agitation. The outfit’s Ranchi unit chief Vijay Kumar said that the organisation had the same demands as the larger agitation and that its members would participate in the August 10 march without carrying the AISA banner.
ABVP Joins the Fray
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also joined the agitation, with its members scuffling with police while attempting to break through barricades near the chief minister’s residence on Friday. Around eight to 10 ABVP protesters were detained during the march but were subsequently released.
Arrests and Questioning
Nineteen people have so far been arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations, while former panel chairperson L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.
As the agitation continues, the Jharkhand government will hold fresh talks with student groups on Sunday, hoping to break the deadlock and address the concerns of the protesting aspirants.