What began as a protest by hundreds of job aspirants and students over the alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi turned into an unprecedented confrontation outside the state Assembly on Monday, with the police resorting to the use of water cannons, tear gas and lathicharge.
Thousands of protesters broke through eight layers of barricading to reach the Assembly gates and its premises, refusing to leave.
The agitation, which entered its 17th day on Monday, was driven by demands for the cancellation of the JSSC CGL and JPSC examinations. The protesters are also seeking reforms in the commission and a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities, including paper leaks and manipulation of OMR sheets.
The third round of talks between student representatives and the government on Sunday had failed.
Students began gathering at the protest site around 9 am before marching towards the Assembly. At the Jagannathpur temple, the Ranchi police had erected multiple barriers, including barricades fitted with barbed wire. The march began around 9.30 am. Student leader Devendra Mahto, who is on a hunger strike, reached the protest site in an ambulance. Another student leader, Kush Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for six days, also joined the march in an ambulance.
When the students pushed through the main route, the police used water cannons and tear gas. The protesters, however, changed the route and moved through forests, footpaths and farm fields, ultimately reaching areas close to the new Assembly and the MLAs’ complex.
By afternoon, various groups of protesters had reached the Assembly after crossing the barriers and approaching through alternative routes. The administration had deployed heavy forces, magistrates and drones for surveillance. The security operation was led by ADG Manoj Kaushik and Ranchi SSP Rakesh Ranjan.
The confrontation turned violent when the protesters attempted to breach the final set of barricades. The police resorted to a heavy lathicharge and fired tear gas shells. The protesters were accused of throwing stones, slippers and bottles. At lease 12 people on both sides were injured.
Some injured students were taken to hospital for first aid, while Devendra Mahto was rushed by ambulance after his health deteriorated.
The students eventually reached Gate No. 1 of the Assembly and began a sit-in. They remained there despite repeated appeals from the administration to move away. The gate is used by the Chief Minister, ministers and MLAs. By the evening, efforts were underway to remove the protesters forcibly, while police forces were being called to Ranchi from other districts. Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, CID IG Manoj Kaushik and the Ranchi SSP were present at the Assembly.
The protest also spilled into politics. BJP state president Aditya Sahu, Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi, all 21 BJP MLAs and over 50 party leaders and workers were detained while attempting to surround Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. They were taken to the camp jail at Ranchi’s Khelgaon. The BJP leaders backed the students’ demand for a CBI probe.
Meanwhile, inside the Assembly, the political confrontation was equally visible. The House passed a supplementary budget of Rs 8,399 crore in the absence of the BJP MLAs.
Reacting to the protests, minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government respected the right to protest and that decisions on examination cancellation had to remain within the constitutional framework.
She said, “In a democracy, people are free to hold protests. The administration is taking necessary action to maintain law and order. There will be no use of pellet guns, tear gas or lathicharge here.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also reacted to the clashes between the police and the protesters. Taking to X, he said, “The use of force against the students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong. They have the right to protest peacefully, and a solution can only come through a dialogue. The Jharkhand Government should listen to these students and resolve their problems immediately.”
The day’s biggest official action came when the CID arrested former JPSC Chairman L Khiangte from his residence and took him to the CID police station. The arrest came amid the investigation into the alleged irregularities, OMR manipulation and the selection of ineligible candidates.
The protest has also reached the court. The Jharkhand High Court on Monday heard an appeal against the dismissal of a petition seeking the cancellation of the JPSC 11th to 13th Combined Civil Services Main Examination results. A Bench headed by Chief Justice MS Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar directed the “recommended and appointed candidates” to file their responses and fixed the next hearing after three weeks.
By night, the students were still refusing to move away from the Assembly.
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