The agitation of students over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) recruitment exams went up a notch on Thursday, as the protesting students have now been demanding the resignation of Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren.

The students accused the state government of failing to address their concerns, and have announced that they will gherao (surround) the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10, 2026.

A still from the student protests in Jharkhand

The demand comes shortly after CM Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar to brief him on the controversy surrounding the recruitment process. Post-meeting, Raj Bhavan issued a statement saying the Governor had termed the alleged irregularities ‘a matter of serious concern’ and emphasised that recruitment commissions must function in a manner that leaves no room for doubt over their transparency and credibility.

Reportedly, CM Soren assured the Governor that the state government is committed to ensuring justice for the protesting students and will examine the case thoroughly.

Students allege Govt ignoring their concerns

As the protest and indefinite hunger strike saw another consecutive day in Ranchi, students accused the government of remaining unresponsive despite repeated appeals for dialogue.

Speaking to news agency ANI, a student protestor named Rahul Kranti said the demonstrators were open to discussions but questioned the government’s reluctance to order a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Another protestor opined that CM Soren had failed to take timely cognisance of the issue despite returning to the state days earlier, declaring he was ‘unfit’ for the office and should step down as the CM.

Dialogue offer amid deadlock

Even as the stirs continue, the state government has initiated contact with the student leaders in a bid to break the impasse.

Students’ spokesperson Piyush Kumar Singh confirmed that government representatives met protestors on Wednesday and proposed talks with a five-member student delegation. However, the students have yet to decide whether to participate in a closed-door meeting and are likely to finalise their representatives shortly.

Kranti went on to say that the protestors initially wanted government officials to visit the protest site, but had now agreed to send their own delegation after receiving no positive response to that request.

Students to take out Tiranga March, hunger strike intensifies pressure

The students have also organised a Tiranga March in Ranchi, reiterating their demand for the Chief Minister's resignation and alleging corruption in recruitment and examination processes.

One protester said the march was aimed at ending the alleged sale of examination papers and government jobs, while insisting that any future talks with the administration should take place in the presence of the media to ensure complete transparency.

Meanwhile, several students participating in the hunger strike reported a sharp decline in their health. One protester said dizziness and physical weakness had made it difficult even to stand, while another made an emotional appeal, describing the Chief Minister as a guardian who should respond to the suffering of the state's youth with action rather than assurances.

Adding further weight to the movement, Jharkhand Krantikari Loktantrik Morcha (JKLM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto has continued his indefinite hunger strike alongside the students. After interacting with activist Sonam Wangchuk, Mahto agreed to consume water, following Wangchuk's advice that the objective of the movement should be to awaken the conscience of the government rather than endanger lives.