The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which led a 26-day stir against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams across the state, on Sunday urged Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren to withdraw cases registered against students during the protest, besides initiating legal action against officials accused of using force against agitators.

Students and job aspirants under the banner’s forum kicked off their protest on July 25, voicing concerns over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The agitation was lifted after the state government announced on August 18 that it would cancel several recruitment exams, including the JSSC-CGL 2023 exam held on September 21 and 22, 2024.

However, the Jharkhand High Court (HC) stayed the government’s decision to cancel certain exams, including the JSSC-CGL 2023, after a petition was filed by the candidates who had qualified the exams and feared losing their jobs.

Forum writes to CM Soren

In a letter addressed to Soren, the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch referred to the Supreme Court’s (SC) recent decision to quash FIRs against students who participated in protests over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy.

The forum said the FIRs lodged against demonstrators in the Jharkhand agitation had not been withdrawn despite the protests being conducted peacefully and democratically.

Notably, six FIRs were registered against more than 50 people, and over 1,100 unidentified people following clashes between the cops and protesting job aspirants in Ranchi, Giridih and Hazaribag during protest marches on August 23. The forum alleged that the move was aimed at suppressing the voices of the students.

The letter read, “We demand immediate withdrawal of the FIRs lodged against students at various police stations in Jharkhand.”

Furthermore, it demanded that cases be registered and appropriate legal action be taken against the cops and workers of the Jharkhand Multi Morcha (JMM) who allegedly chased and manhandled students.

CBI probe sought into exam irregularities

Additionally, the protestors have also sought a high-level probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations conducted since 2014.