Amid intensifying student protests in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in state-level recruitment exams, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), a student wing of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), clashed with police on Saturday while trying to cross barricades near state Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren’s residence in Ranchi.

Following the scuffle, police detained as many as 10 protestors, according to an official aware of the development.

The incident took place as ABVP workers marched from Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University towards the CM’s residence in support of students and job aspirants who have been protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams.

Protestors stopped 500 metres from CM’s residence

According to police, the protestors were stopped near Sidho Kanho Park, around 500 metres from CM Soren’s residence, to prevent any untoward incident.

A police officer said, “ABVP members scuffled with the police and tried to break through barricades near the chief minister’s residence. Eight to 10 members have been detained and will be taken to Lalpur police station.” He added that among those detained were ABVP office bearers Pradeep Shekhawat, Pashupatinath Upmanyu and Prakash Tuti.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ajay Aryan said the ABVP had taken out a march from Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University towards the Chief Minister’s residence.

ABVP announces August 11 ‘Vidhan Sabha March’

The student organisation has now announced a march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 11, 2026, as a move to intensify its campaign over the recruitment exam row. ABVP state secretary Prakash Tuti said the organisation would continue to stand with the protesting students and raise their demands.

He said, “We stand firmly with the protesting students. On Saturday, we held a march to the CM’s residence to support their legitimate demands. Through the march, we strongly raised their voices. We have questions and the CM is answerable.”

He pleaded with the students, women and the youth from across the state to participate in the event on a massive scale.

ABVP workers clashing with cops in Ranchi

Protestors call for cancellation of 14th JPSC exam

An ABVP member, who was detained, accused the police of attempting to silence the protestors, while insisting that the organisation’s dispute was with the government and its policies rather than the police. He said, “We have no problem with the police, our fight is with the government and its policies.” According to protestors, students and government job aspirants have been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for more than two weeks, calling for the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam, alleging irregularities in the recruitment process.

The protestors also hailed slogans demanding CM Soren’s resignation and the cancellation of the exam.

Talks fail to break stalemate-like situation

Notably, the agitation headed by students entered its 15th day on Saturday. Talks between the state government representatives and representatives of the protesting students have not been able to yield any fruit.