Ranchi, August 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The protest by students against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) entered its 23rd day on Sunday, with demonstrators accusing Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of failing to act on his assurances.
The protesters have also announced plans to burn effigies of Rahul Gandhi and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren during a demonstration later in the day.
Student protester Ravindra Kumar Paswan said the agitation would continue until their demands were met. He said the students had demonstrated peacefully for 22 days but were now planning to intensify their protest.
“We have been protesting peacefully and following Gandhian principles for the past 22 days, but the government seems to be ignoring us,” Paswan said, adding that the students had decided to pursue a “do-or-die battle”.
The protesters are demanding cancellation of the JSSC examination, a CBI investigation and cancellation of all examinations conducted by TDPL.
Paswan said students were frustrated by what they described as the government’s failure to address their concerns. He also criticised Rahul Gandhi, saying the Congress leader had expressed support for the protesters through a phone call and social media posts but had not followed up with concrete action.
The students’ anger also extends to the Congress-JMM alliance in Jharkhand. Paswan questioned why Gandhi had not intervened despite his assurances and said Congress should clarify its position on the students’ demands.
He also referred to reported remarks by Jharkhand Minister and Congress leader Shilpi Neha Tirkey, who had allegedly said that a student delegation that met the government did not include those actually observing the hunger strike or participating in the protest.
“If Congress is really concerned about the students, then it should clear its stand on the matter,” Paswan said, holding both the JMM and Congress responsible for the situation.
Meanwhile, a controversy broke out a day earlier after Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto was allegedly prevented from leaving the hospital where he was admitted after his health deteriorated during a hunger strike. He had reportedly sought to join a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi.
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