No compromise: Jharkhand students to continue recruitment fight, says leader Mahato

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said it would continue pressing for transparency and accountability despite the High Court stay on exam cancellations. The stand keeps the recruitment row alive as protesters seek a credible probe and plan fresh demonstrations.Respect HC order, but no compromise on core demands: Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahato (Photo: ITG)The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch on Thursday said it would remain firm on its core demands of transparency, fairness and accountability in Jharkhand’s recruitment system, hours after the Jharkhand High Court stayed the state government’s order cancelling the 11th to 13th state civil services examinations and Food Safety Officer appointments.Addressing a press conference, movement leader Devendra Nath Mahato said the protesters respected the High Court’s interim order but maintained that it did not address the larger concerns that had led to their 26-day agitation. “Qualified and innocent candidates should get justice, but there can be no compromise on corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process,” Mahato said.He said the movement was not directed against any candidate but against alleged corruption, irregularities, lack of transparency and systemic shortcomings in the recruitment process. “Court proceedings will continue at their own level, but this interim order does not end our core demands. Transparency, fairness and accountability in the JPSC-JSSC recruitment system remain our top priority,” Mahato said.‘NO TOKEN PROBE, ACTION AGAINST GUILTY’Mahato demanded an independent, impartial and credible investigation into examinations where serious irregularities have been alleged. He said the probe should not be a mere formality and that those found responsible must be identified and prosecuted. The remarks come amid a wider controversy over the government’s decision to cancel 22 recruitment examinations and order probes into 23 others conducted since 2014 by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and an outsourced agency.The government had taken the decision after a 26-day protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The agitation was suspended on Wednesday after the government agreed to several demands, with protesters giving it two months to address their grievances. Meanwhile, the probe into alleged irregularities in the JSSC-CGL examination has intensified, with the Special Investigation Team questioning 37 suspects.STUDENT LEADER ALLEGES ‘TRAP’ TO END PROTESTStudent leader Kunal Pratap Singh criticised the government over the handling of the issue and alleged that the developments following the High Court order amounted to an attempt to derail the movement. “JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch had been staging a peaceful protest for the last 26 days. What did we get in return? Deceit,” Singh said.He questioned the government’s legal representation before the High Court, saying the Advocate General did not appear, and no senior advocate represented the state during the hearing. “The lawyer present there did not say even one word. This clearly shows that this was a trap — a trap to end the protest, ruin 26 days of our hard work and play with the emotions of the students of Jharkhand,” Singh alleged.#WATCH | Ranchi: On Jharkhand High Court staying State Govt's order cancelling 11th to 13th JPSC exams and appointments, student leader Kunal Pratap Singh says, "...JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch had been staging a peaceful protest for the last 26 days...What did we get in return? pic.twitter.com/QMP2EhjNSr— ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2026The protesters, however, have said they are not opposed to protecting candidates who cleared examinations on merit and have expressed sympathy for those facing possible job losses.PROTEST TO INTENSIFYDespite the suspension of their 26-day agitation, the student representatives announced fresh protests. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said it would burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren in all 24 districts of Jharkhand on Friday to press for its demands.The High Court has directed the state government to file its response within 15 days along with a counter-affidavit. The stay on the cancellation order will remain in force until further orders.- EndsPublished By: Priyanka KumariPublished On: Aug 20, 2026 23:29 IST