Jharkhand exam scandal fuels protests, hunger strikes and CID arrests
Students and job aspirants in Jharkhand have been camped at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi since late July, demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged paper‑leak and recruitment irregularities affecting both the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
The agitation intensified when six protesters, including two women, began an indefinite hunger strike; leader Devendra Nath Mahto later drank water after activist Sonam Wangchuk urged him to do so.
The state’s Crime Investigation Department has arrested a total of 19 people, including five new arrests reported on August 6, in connection with the alleged scam.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has met Governor Santosh Gangwar, pledged “justice for students”, and said the government’s doors are open for talks. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi also met the protesters and called for a CBI investigation.
The protests continue with calls for a Tiranga march and further reforms of the JPSC and JSSC.
Entities: Babulal Marandi · Devendra Nath Mahato · Devendra Nath Mahto · Hemant Soren · JSSC CGL · Jharkhand · Jharkhand Public Service Commission · Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) · Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) · Sonam Wangchuk
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Jharkhand Public Service Commission postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination scheduled for July 25‑27. (existing)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Students and job aspirants are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the recruitment examinations. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Six individuals, including two women, have begun an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. (existing)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Students are demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination due to alleged irregularities. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi met protesting students and demanded a CBI probe into exam irregularities. (existing)
- [● 6 SOURCES] Devendra Nath Mahto drank water after Sonam Wangchuk urged him to do so. (existing)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government is taking the protesters' concerns seriously and will announce decisions later. (CM statement)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Criminal Investigation Department has arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged recruitment scam. (existing)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government is taking the students' concerns seriously and will announce decisions later. (existing)