Jharkhand Exam Row Escalates as 110 ABVP Workers Detained, BJP Calls Bandh

The controversy over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations intensified on Tuesday, with around 110 ABVP workers detained during a march towards the state Assembly, a BJP-called bandh and an ED money-laundering probe adding to the growing crisis.

The latest confrontation followed Monday's protest by thousands of job aspirants demanding reforms in the recruitment process. Protesters breached several barricades while marching towards the Assembly, prompting police to use water cannons and tear gas. Several protesters claimed injuries, while Ranchi Police said 14 policemen were injured.

On Tuesday, members of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) marched from the old Vidhan Sabha area to protest the police action. City SP Paras Rana said around 110 workers were detained, clarifying that none were arrested. Clashes broke out when protesters tried to stop the bus carrying the detainees. Some women protesters were also detained, while two students reportedly fainted.

ABVP accused the Hemant Soren government of suppressing students and renewed its demand for a CBI probe. The BJP separately called a statewide bandh to protest Monday's police action. The student agitation, which began on July 25, centres on alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. Aspirants are demanding greater transparency, reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation.

The government has said it accepted around 98 per cent of the students' demands, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and recruitment-system reforms. Students have rejected the claim, arguing that only three of the 13 examinations they sought to be cancelled have been scrapped.

The controversy has gained a criminal-investigation dimension after the Jharkhand CID arrested former JPSC chairman L Khiangte. The Enforcement Directorate has also launched a money-laundering investigation into alleged recruitment-exam irregularities. Meanwhile, political tensions escalated in the Assembly, which was adjourned sine die a day early amid opposition protests. With students continuing their agitation, the government faces mounting pressure to resolve the deadlock and address demands for an independent probe.