Jharkhand JPSC Row: Fresh Talks Today As Agitation Intensifies, Students Set August 10 Assembly March

Ranchi: The standoff between the Jharkhand government and protesting students over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations is set to continue on Sunday, with fresh talks scheduled at noon even as protesters have warned of an Assembly march on August 10 if their demands remain unmet.

The latest round of talks comes after five rounds of discussions held over Friday and Saturday between the government and various student groups. However, the meetings failed to resolve the 15-day-long agitation, prompting the government to call another meeting with protesting student representatives at 12 pm on Sunday.

The government panel, comprising ministers Dipika Pandey Singh, Sudivya Kumar, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav, held discussions with multiple student organisations, including the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh.

The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been leading the agitation, has objected to the government's decision to hold separate discussions with different student organisations. The protesters have accused the Hemant Soren government of attempting to create divisions among students and divert attention from their core demands.

Among the key demands raised by the protesting students is the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination. Other demands include investigations into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations and comprehensive reforms in the state's recruitment system.

The Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha has also demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination, while the NSUI has sought a CID probe into JPSC and JSSC examinations under suspicion and the creation of a Jharkhand Testing Agency on the lines of the National Testing Agency.

The government has maintained that the discussions were held in a positive atmosphere and said it was considering the concerns raised by aspirants. The government has also invited suggestions from students on reforms to the recruitment process.

However, protesters have made it clear that the agitation will continue until their demands are addressed. They have announced an Assembly march on August 10 if the government fails to meet their demands by Sunday.

The agitation has also seen participation from other student organisations. The All India Students' Association has said its members will join the August 10 march, while the ABVP has announced a separate Vidhan Sabha march on August 11.

The protests have already witnessed confrontations with police. ABVP members had scuffled with security personnel while attempting to breach barricades near the Chief Minister's residence during a march on Friday. Around eight to 10 protesters were detained and later released, according to police.

Meanwhile, protests against CJP founder Abhijit Dipke entered their third consecutive day in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Manish Brahmbhatt and Rahul Pandya, who are protesting alongside CJP volunteers, have gone on a hunger strike over their demands. The two protesters allege that Abhijit Dipke is attempting to stop their agitation and is obstructing volunteers supporting their protest.

Families of police personnel have also taken a stand against Dipke. They have issued a two-day ultimatum demanding an apology and warned of a massive protest outside his residence if he fails to apologise.

The protesters continue to press their demands, with the hunger strike and demonstrations adding to the growing pressure on Dipke.

With Sunday's fresh talks coming after multiple rounds of discussions failed to break the deadlock, the government's next move could prove crucial in determining whether the planned August 10 Assembly march goes ahead.

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