Jharkhand protesters attempt to burn effigies of CM Hemant Soren, Rahul Gandhi; scuffle with police in Ranchi

Security personnel try to control the situation after a clash between members of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) workers during an effigy-burning protest against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren over the Jharkhand High Court’s stay order on the Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, at Albert Ekka Chowk, in Ranchi on August 21, 2026. | Photo Credit: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap “A scuffle broke out on Friday (August 21, 2026) between police and students protesting against alleged Jharkhand recruitment examination irregularities in Ranchi, with the agitators attempting to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi,” officials said.Student leaders under the banner of the 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch' have accused the Jharkhand government of "deceiving" and “betraying” job aspirants, after the High Court stayed some notifications cancelling appointments through the 11th and 13th JPSC examinations besides the JSSC-CGL.“They gathered in large number at the prominent Albert Chowk to burn effigies of CM Soren and Rahul Gandhi. When the police tried to control them, a scuffle broke out… JMM workers were also present at the spot,” an official said.Similar scuffles were also reported from Hazaribag and Giridih, where JMM workers clashed with students trying to burn effigies of Mr. Soren. Published - August 21, 2026 09:00 pm IST