Ranchi, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The protest by students over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations took an unusual Gen-Z turn on Monday, with demonstrators organising a sarcastic birthday cake-cutting for Chief Minister Hemant Soren and one protester joining the march dressed as Spider-Man.
The students marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly despite heightened security arrangements. The situation escalated after protesters breached several barricades erected by security personnel, prompting police to use water cannons and carry out a lathi charge.
Several protesters continued raising slogans and dancing even as water cannons were directed at them.
The protest also produced a series of striking visuals outside the Assembly gates. A group of students cut a cake to mark Soren’s birthday, presenting the celebration as a satirical message linked to their demands over recruitment examinations.
“Today is our Hemu Chacha’s birthday, so we will celebrate his birthday. Since he is hiding, we will celebrate his happiness and birthday here. In return gift, we demand the cancellation of all the exams which faced irregularities, CBI probe and fulfilment of our other demands,” a protesting student said.
Another demonstrator arrived dressed as Spider-Man, saying the costume reflected what he described as a Gen-Z approach to protest.
“Since we are Gen Z, our way of protesting is a little different. That is why I have perhaps come here dressed as Spider-Man today,” the student said, adding that the protesters had so far demonstrated peacefully and would continue seeking fulfilment of their demands through peaceful means.
Another student used a traditional Jharkhand reference to take a dig at the government. Holding a placard reading ‘Hariya becho, exam nahi’, he referred to Hariya, a fermented rice-based traditional drink, while criticising the alleged irregularities in examinations.
“Hariya is a major product of our state, and we offer it to our God. It is also a source of income for our tribal brothers. So, if you sell Hariyaa, they will earn an income. If you want to sell something, sell this, but please don’t sell our exams or our future,” the student said.
The agitation has been led by recruitment aspirants demanding greater transparency, accountability and fairness in the examination process. Students have said they will continue their protest until their concerns are addressed and action is taken against those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Police’s Criminal Investigation Department arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission Chairman L. Khiangte in connection with the case.
Fasting student leader Devendra Nath Mahto also joined Monday’s demonstration on a stretcher as the agitation intensified outside the Assembly.
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