Ranchi, August 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand on Saturday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day remarks on harnessing the potential of the country’s youth, while demanding strict action against those responsible for examination paper leaks.
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Modi said India would fully utilise the strength and capabilities of its youth and integrate them into the nation-building process. He also emphasised the role of young people in achieving the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Student leader Ravishankar supported the Prime Minister’s emphasis on youth, but said examination irregularities remained a major concern for students across the country.
“Whether it is at the Centre or the state, the matter pertaining to youth is of priority at both places,” he said, alleging irregularities not only in NEET but also in several other Central and Jharkhand examinations.
Ravishankar urged both the Central and state governments to ensure the strictest punishment for those involved in paper leaks. He said young people would be able to contribute effectively to nation-building only when they became self-reliant.
Another protester, Nitesh Sinha, said students supported the Prime Minister’s message but stressed that effective measures were needed to prevent paper leaks.
“We support whatever PM Modi said regarding the youth but the government should take stringent measures to stop paper leaks as only then capable youth can contribute in nation building,” Sinha said.
Another agitator, Ramavtar Mahto, also welcomed Modi’s remarks but raised concerns over what he described as the erosion of Jharkhand’s powers over taxation.
Mahto referred to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which, according to him, restricted the state’s powers to impose independent taxes and cesses on mineral rights and land. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has strongly opposed the measure.
“If all the rights are taken over by the Centre, then power may get misused under state government as was happening during the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examination,” Mahto said, urging the Centre to withdraw the law.
Students in Jharkhand have been protesting over alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC.
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