Jharkhand Student Leader Says ‘Second Stage’ Of Protest Will Seek Law For Leak-Proof Exams

Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has said the protesters will now begin the “second stage” of their agitation, seeking a law that guarantees recruitment examinations free from paper leaks and other malpractice.

His statement came after the Jharkhand government announced the cancellation of all examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and TDPL. Mahto said the movement was not only about getting individual examinations cancelled but about making the state’s entire recruitment and examination system more transparent and free from corruption.

Mahto questions guarantee against future paper leaks

Mahto pointed to the Jharkhand CGL examination, saying it had already been cancelled on January 28, 2024, following a paper leak.

He said the paper leak occurred again during the re-examination, resulting in the examination being cancelled once more.

Mahto questioned what guarantee students have that paper leaks will not happen again after the cancellation of the 14 examinations.

He said the government’s decision to act on the students’ demands marked the success of the first stage of their agitation. He thanked the government, students and supporters for their support.

Mahto also claimed that investigations by various agencies into examination irregularities have been taking place in Jharkhand since the state’s formation, but students have not received justice.

Demand for law to prevent examination malpractice

Mahto said the protesters now want recruitment examinations to be protected from paper leaks, problems in question-paper setting and other forms of malpractice.

He demanded a system that would guarantee secure examinations and strict punishment for those involved in irregularities.

He said the Jharkhand Assembly should pass a law to ensure such a system. If required, he said, the Constitution could also be amended to achieve the objective.

According to Mahto, such a law would benefit future generations of students as well.

16-day hunger strike ends

Mahto ended his hunger strike after 16 days following the government’s decision on the examination-related demands.

He said the fast was ended through the joint initiative of Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Deepika Pandey and MLA Jairam Mahto.

Mahto said the protesters had decided to suspend their hunger strike after their demands were fulfilled and thanked the government, students and supporters.

Jharkhand Cabinet cancels examinations

The decision to cancel all examinations conducted by JSSC-CGL and TDPL was taken at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday.

The announcement triggered celebrations among students protesting at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

Despite heavy rain, protesters hugged each other, distributed sweets, raised slogans and celebrated with colours and fireworks.

They described the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination as a major victory after 24 days of agitation.

Mahto has now said that the protesters’ next focus will be on securing a law and system that can guarantee leak-proof recruitment examinations in Jharkhand.