Jharkhand students protest LIVE updates: Govt announces fresh talks; student body alleges 'political manoeuvring'

Home News India Jharkhand A series of meetings with student groups throughout Saturday (August 8, 2026) culminated in the Jharkhand government announcing fresh talks with aspirants Updated - August 09, 2026 08:17 am IST Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto during his indefinite hunger strike as part of a protest against the Jharkhand government over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, JSSC-CGL and other recruitment tests, demanding a CBI probe and reforms in the recruitment agencies, at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, in Ranchi, Jharkhand. File. | Photo Credit: PTI As the first five rounds of talks failed to break the deadlock, the Jharkhand government has decided to hold a sixth round of talks with student representatives around 12 noon on Sunday (August 9, 2026). A series of meetings with student groups throughout Saturday (August 8, 2026) culminated in the Jharkhand government announcing fresh talks with aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams in the State that prompted a prominent students’ faction accusing it of “political manoeuvring”.Also read | Years of delayed exams, bribery allegations provoke Jharkhand protests As the protest entered its 15th day on Saturday (August 8, 2026), the Hemant Soren government held four rounds of talks with different student groups, including the Congress’ student wing NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Manch and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch accused the Jharkhand government of “political manoeuvring” by announcing another round of talks with student organisations, alleging the move was aimed at creating divisions among protesting students and diverting people’s attention from their core demands.Follow live updates here:August 09, 2026 08:17 'Political manoeuvring', says student group as Jharkhand Govt announces fresh talksThe JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, a prominent students’ group spearheading the protest in Jharkhand against alleged exam irregularities, accused the state government of “political manoeuvring” by announcing it would hold another round of talks with the demonstrators.The group alleged that despite placing all points before the government during a meeting on Friday night, the panel chose to call Congress and JMM-affiliated students’ bodies who had no role in the agitation and took their charter of demands on Saturday.“This is political manoeuvring by the government. It is trying to create a divide among students and divert people’s attention. But, they should know all students are united,” said Ravindra Paswan, a leader of JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.- PTIAugust 09, 2026 08:16 Jharkhand protest: no breakthrough in talks with State, but protesting factions hold firmAs rain continued to fall over Ranchi on Saturday (August 8, 2026), the students’ protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium entered its 15th day with no sign of retreat. A seven-member delegation of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) met the government committee, carrying with it the demands that have kept hundreds of aspirants on the streets since July 25, with no immediate breakthrough in sight.Click below to read more on this:Jharkhand protest: no breakthrough in talks with State, but protesting factions hold firmJharkhand protests enter 15th day as government invites JLKM leaders for talks amid demands for exam irregularity investigations. Published - August 09, 2026 08:14 am IST