Relentless agitations by students in Jharkhand over irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam yielded some fruit on Sunday, as the state government offered to cancel three exams. However, the government denied going ahead with a CBI probe into the matter, over which, the protesting students have decided to continue the stir and press for the same.
A still from the protests in Ranchi
According to sources, talks between the state government representatives and the protesting students ended without a breakthrough on Sunday. The protest saw its 16th day on Sunday, while concerns are still upticking over the health of those students who have been on an indefinite hunger strike.
Govt offers to cancel 3 exams
The Jharkhand government proposed the cancellation of three exams, namely, the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) 2023 and 2025, along with the 14th preliminary exam, according to sources familiar with the development.
However, the agitators remained firm on their demand for a CBI inquiry into the alleged exam irregularities and said the stirs, including the indefinite hunger strike, would resume.
Post-meeting, Jharkhand minister Sudivya Kumar told the media that the government had held a ‘positive dialogue’ with the students. He said a fast-track court would be laid to probe cases pertaining to examination irregularities and that chargesheets would be filed within 90 days.
A visual from the talks between the government and the protestors
Kumar went on to say that the students would take a decision on whether to withdraw their agitation.
Declining health of hunger-striking students a key concern
Notably, the latest round of talks came after two days of discussions between the Hemant Soren-led government and various student groups that failed to reach a consensus. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike, triggering concerns over his health. Another protestor named Rahul Krantim is also on a hunger strike and remains under medical supervision. As many as six protestors are currently observing a hunger strike to express their dissent with the government.
Students protesting against exam irregularities
During Sunday’s meeting, the state government also expressed its willingness to have financial transactions linked to the alleged exam irregularities examined by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), according to sources.
All TDPL exams to fall under scrutiny
Furthermore, the government has indicated that all exams conducted by the Lucknow-based private testing agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) will be subjected to scrutiny. As part of proposed reforms, the state government is likely to approach the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) and the Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS) for assistance in reforming the exam systems of the JPSC and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Another shot of protestors
Over the past few days, the Jharkhand government has held several rounds of discussion with various student organisations, including the Congress-led NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS).
Despite the government’s recent assurances and proposed measures, the agitators have refused to halt the stir, keeping the standoff over the alleged exam irregularities alive.