Jharkhand exam stir turns violent as police clash with students, JMM workers

The student protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations turned violent in Ranchi on Friday after a scuffle broke out between police and demonstrators who had gathered to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The protesters, led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, accused the state government of failing to address their concerns over transparency and alleged malpractice in recruitment exams.A large number of students assembled at Albert Chowk for the protest. Police said the situation deteriorated after the demonstrators deviated from the route designated for the march and moved towards the Jharkhand Public Service Commission office, disrupting traffic.Lalpur police station officer-in-charge Rupesh Kumar Singh said repeated requests to follow the prescribed route were ignored."The students changed the route defined for the march and the effigy burning. They went to the JPSC office and brought traffic to a halt there. The agitators did not listen to our repeated pleas to adhere to the designated route," news agency PTI quoted Singh as saying. According to officials, police intervened to control the gathering, leading to a confrontation with the protesters.Student leaders, however, alleged that they were prevented from holding a peaceful demonstration. "They cannot stop us from holding peaceful and democratic protests," JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said. Another student leader, Piyush Kumar Singh, alleged that a core committee member of the Manch, Kunal, was detained during the protest, subsequently fainted and was taken to Sadar Hospital.Protesters also alleged that women demonstrators were assaulted during the confrontation by workers of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. These allegations could not be independently verified.A video of the scuffled showed a large crowd of students and police personnel gathered at a busy location, with protesters raising slogans. Visuals also showed heightened tension as police attempt to manage the gathering amid the confrontation.COURT HALTS CANCELLATION OF APPOINTMENTSThe protest follows a series of recent court developments concerning recruitment examinations in the state.The Jharkhand High Court recently stayed the government’s notifications cancelling appointments linked to the JSSC-CGL and the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations.The court directed the state to file its response within 15 days and kept the cancellation orders in abeyance pending further proceedings. The court has also stayed the cancellation of Food Safety Officer appointments.26-DAY STUDENT AGITATION SUSPENDEDThe developments came shortly after a 26-day student agitation was suspended following assurances from the government, including the cancellation of 22 recruitment examinations and probes into 23 others conducted since 2014.Student leaders had given the government two months to act on their demands and ensure a fair investigation.The Manch has maintained that candidates who cleared examinations fairly should not be punished, but has demanded an independent and credible investigation into alleged irregularities.The probe into the JSSC-CGL examination has also intensified, with an SIT questioning 37 suspects.Similar clashes were reported in Hazaribag and Giridih, where JMM workers allegedly confronted students attempting to burn effigies of Soren.RECRUITMENT SYSTEM REFORM YATRAMeanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto announced a 'Recruitment System Reforms Yatra' from August 24.He warned that if the government fails to effectively present its case before the High Court on September 15, protesters may consider gheraoing the chief minister’s residence.With the dispute now playing out both on the streets and in court, further protests are likely as student groups press for transparency and accountability in the recruitment system. The September 15 hearing is expected to be a key point in determining the next phase of the agitation.- EndsWith agency inputsPublished On: Aug 21, 2026 22:38 IST