Ranchi, Aug 22: The controversy over recruitment examinations in Jharkhand intensified on Saturday, with exam protesters accusing the Hemant Soren-led government of failing to effectively defend its decision to cancel several recruitment tests before the High Court.The development came after the Jharkhand High Court stayed a number of government notifications cancelling recruitment examinations.
The orders had followed a prolonged agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment tests conducted by state recruiting agencies.The state government had cancelled 22 recruitment examinations and ordered inquiries into 23 others, a move that had earlier eased a prolonged protest by candidates demanding action over alleged irregularities.
However, candidates who had cleared some of the examinations subsequently approached the High Court, expressing concern that the cancellations could affect their appointments. The court’s intervention has since triggered fresh resentment among those who had been demanding cancellation of the examinations.
Members of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been spearheading the agitation, staged a protest march to the Jharkhand Public Service Commission office in Ranchi on Friday. The demonstration reportedly led to a confrontation between protesters and police.
Similar demonstrations were also reported in Hazaribag and Giridih. Protesters in Ranchi also gathered at Albert Chowk and burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing the government of failing to strongly defend its position in court.
The BJP backed the protesters and criticised the state government. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi alleged that force was used against students and questioned the government’s handling of the recruitment issue.
Former chief minister Champai Soren also described the reported police action against protesters as unfortunate.The ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), however, accused the BJP of attempting to use the recruitment controversy for political purposes.
JMM general secretary Vinod Pandey alleged that the opposition was trying to exploit students’ concerns for political gains.JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto has announced a ‘Recruitment System Reforms Yatra’ from August 24. He also warned of a possible protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence if the government fails to effectively present its case before the High Court in the next round of proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand CID has intensified its investigation into alleged irregularities in the 2023 JSSC Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination. Its Special Investigation Team has questioned 37 suspects so far and has appealed to the public to share any information related to the alleged irregularities.
The ongoing legal proceedings and CID investigation are expected to determine the future of the cancelled examinations and the candidates affected by the decisions.
