Jharkhand students to burn Soren, Rahul effigies tomorrow as protests intensify

Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations have announced a gherao of Chief Minister Hemant Soren on August 20, saying they will remain at the protest site until their demands are met.The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch also said protesters would burn effigies of Soren and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at district headquarters across Jharkhand on Sunday, marking a sharp escalation in the agitation.For the first time, the protesters have also demanded Soren’s resignation, seeking accountability over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.Their key demands include cancellation of the JSSC CGL examination and the 11th-13th JPSC examination, along with a recommendation for a CBI probe into alleged irregularities. TIRANGA YATRA IN RANCHIThe announcement came as students took out a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ in Ranchi on Saturday to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day, as the agitation entered its 22nd day.The march began from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the site of the ongoing agitation, and ended at Albert Ekka Chowk. Thousands of job aspirants and supporters participated, carrying the national flag and raising slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.The students have been demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of certain tests and an independent investigation by either the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.The protesters said their agitation was not limited to individual examinations but was aimed at restoring confidence in the state’s recruitment system.“Independence doesn’t just mean freedom from the British, but also freedom from inequality of opportunities, corruption and injustice,” the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said.FASTING PROTESTER ALLEGES POLICE STOPPED HIMThe agitation also drew attention to JLKM leader Devendra Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days. Mahto alleged that police prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to join the Tiranga Yatra.A video of the incident showed a security official blocking Mahto’s path as he tried to leave the Sadar Hospital. Several workers of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM), the outfit to which Mahto belongs, were seen urging the official to allow him to join the Tiranga Yatra, while the official appeared to ask them to let the fasting activist rest.Mahto questioned why he was being prevented from attending the march at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. “After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” he said.He also alleged that attempts were being made to divert the students’ movement, claiming that some people were trying to dismantle the agitation nearly a month after it began.SOREN PROMISES ACTION, SYSTEMIC REFORMSThe escalation came despite assurances from the Chief Minister that alleged recruitment irregularities would be investigated impartially.In his Independence Day address, Soren acknowledged that questions surrounding recruitment examinations had shaken the confidence of an entire generation of job aspirants.He said anyone found guilty of paper leaks, corruption or other irregularities would face strict action irrespective of their influence or position.The Chief Minister also called for systemic changes to prevent manipulation of examinations.He outlined measures including a time-bound annual examination calendar, greater use of technology, timely publication of answer keys and OMR sheets, and stronger accountability in the recruitment process.The state government has also launched the ‘Students’ Voice with Students’ campaign to seek suggestions from students, teachers, educationists and parents on examination reforms.For the protesters, however, assurances are no longer enough. With the August 20 gherao, the demand for Soren’s resignation and the planned burning of effigies of both Soren and Gandhi, the agitation has moved into a more confrontational phase.- EndsPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 22:22 IST