Protests and demonstrations over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations are poised to intensify, as the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, who is spearheading the agitation, has warned the state government on Sunday that it has time till August 18 to address their demands.

The group issued a sharp warning on Sunday, saying peaceful methods had failed to elicit a response from the Hemant Soren-led government.

The group posted a statement on ‘X,’ which read, “Gandhi ji ke raaste chalke dekh liya, ab Bhagat Singh bante hain (We tried Gandhi’s path, now we’ll become Bhagat Singh).” The statements come amid plans for fresh and intense protests, which shall include the burning of effigies of Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, followed by a proposed gherao of the CM’s residence in state capital Ranchi.

“Fulfill our demands by August 18”

Student leader Ravindra Paswan said the agitators had decided to change the course of their movement after alleged repeated inaction by the government. He asserted, “We have had enough of Gandhian methods and peaceful protests. They simply aren’t listening,” adding that protestors were prepared to face bullets for their cause.

He went on to say that the agitation would continue until their demands were fulfilled and issued an ultimatum to the government to act by August 18. Paswan added, “If the demands are not fulfilled, lakhs of students and youths from Jharkhand will lay siege to the CM’s residence on the 20th.”

The protesting students and job seekers have accused the ruling JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands concerning recruitment exams. They have also called upon Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his party’s support for the JMM-led government.

Protests go up a notch in Jharkhand over exam irregularities

Effigies to be set ablaze across 24 districts

As part of the agitation, protestors announced plans to set ablaze the effigies of both Soren and Rahul Gandhi across 24 districts of the state on Sunday. They have also voiced demands for Soren’s resignation, accusing both the JMM and the Congress of playing politics over their concerns.

Paswan said, “We will gherao the CM’s residence on August 20. We seek his resignation as both the JMM and the Congress are playing politics with us.”

Tiranga Yatra marks Independence Day

The latest escalation comes after a Tiranga Yatra was organised by the protestors in Ranchi on Saturday to mark India’s 80th Independence Day and reinforce their demand for greater transparency, coupled with reforms in the recruitment examination system.

The protestors marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranch, from where the agitation began, to Albert Ekka Chowk. Carrying the tricolour, the demonstrators hailed patriotic slogans, including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram,” while pressing the government to fulfill their demands.