RANCHI, Aug 16: Students protesting over alleged discrepancies in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand on Monday set ablaze symbolic effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav at Albert Ekka Chowk, a prominent intersection in the state capital.A large group of students carrying the three effigies marched for nearly a kilometre from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, where a sizeable police contingent had been deployed.
During the demonstration, several participants raised slogans targeting Soren and Gandhi and demanded action on issues concerning the state’s recruitment process.
The latest demonstration came on the 23rd day of the students’ ongoing agitation against alleged irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The protesters had earlier announced that effigies of Soren and Gandhi would be burnt in all 24 districts. The programme was carried out on Sunday, August 16, as the students accused the JMM-Congress alliance of failing to respond adequately to their demands.
The protesters have now announced a major escalation, saying they will march to and surround the chief minister’s residence in Ranchi on August 20. They have also sought Soren’s resignation.
The students have accused the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD combine of using political tactics instead of addressing their concerns. They had also called upon the Congress to withdraw its backing to the state government, alleging that the chief minister had not acted on the issues raised by the protesting candidates.
The agitation is being spearheaded by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has put forward a series of demands relating to recruitment examinations.
Among its key demands is the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI investigation into all recruitment examinations.The group has also sought publication of the findings of any probe and strict action against officials or individuals found responsible for wrongdoing.
The students are further seeking the reinstatement of Finance Department section officer and alleged whistleblower Santosh Kumar Mastana, whose suspension they want revoked. They have also demanded that cases registered against him be withdrawn.
With the proposed August 20 programme approaching, the students have warned that their campaign will continue until the government responds to their demands.
Police deployment has been increased around key locations in Ranchi amid the continuing demonstrations, while the protesters maintain that their movement is aimed at seeking transparency and accountability in the recruitment system.
