Jharkhand Job Exam Row Explodes: BJP Demands CBI Probe as Student Stir Enters Day 14

The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations intensified on Friday, with BJP-led opposition MLAs staging a protest on the Assembly premises and demanding a CBI probe into the alleged scam even as the student-led movement entered its 14th day.

BJP legislators raised slogans and displayed placards accusing the JMM-led government of compromising the future of job aspirants. BJP chief whip Naveen Jaiswal alleged that the ongoing CID investigation was an “eyewash” intended to cover up the matter and said students would have faith in the probe only if the case was handed over to the CBI.

The opposition’s protest came as six students continued their hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where the agitation has been underway since July 25 under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. The protesters have demanded cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission Civil Services Examination, an independent investigation either by the CBI or a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state, and comprehensive reforms in the JPSC and JSSC.

Two student organisations, AISA and AISF, had announced a march to the Assembly on Friday. Authorities have imposed prohibitory orders within a 750-metre radius of the Vidhan Sabha from August 6 to 12, between 6 am and 10 pm.

The government had offered talks after Chief Minister Hemant Soren said its doors were open for dialogue. Students formed an 11-member delegation comprising eight students, two experts and an advocate, but said no firm time had been given for discussions. A five-member government panel, including ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Sudivya Kumar, was expected to engage with them.

The agitation has also drawn political attention. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to a student leader by phone and reportedly assured support, while BJP leaders accused the Congress of treating the issue differently in Jharkhand and Delhi.

Meanwhile, the CID investigation has intensified. Nineteen people have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged examination irregularities, while former JPSC chairman L Khiangte has been questioned four times since July 28.

The protesters say repeated appeals to the government have failed to produce concrete action and that the alleged irregularities have severely damaged young aspirants’ trust in the recruitment system.