NEW DELHI: Indian students marched towards the Jharkhand state assembly on Monday. They are protesting alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations.
Several protesters have also started hunger strikes. At least six students are reportedly fasting over their demands.
The protests are taking place in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. Demonstrations began on July 29 amid growing concerns about the state’s recruitment examination system.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto is among those on hunger strike. The 33-year-old has reportedly been fasting for more than a week.
Mahto has called for major changes to the examination system. He also opposed the use of a private company to conduct state civil service examinations.
Hundreds of police officers were deployed near the state assembly on Monday. Authorities placed barbed-wire barricades around the area to control the situation.
Large groups of students marched towards the assembly while chanting slogans. The demonstration followed several unsuccessful rounds of talks between protesters and the state government.
The protesters are demanding the cancellation of several examinations. These tests were conducted by a private company for the Jharkhand government.
They are also seeking a federal police investigation into the company’s role. The students say the examination process requires greater transparency and accountability.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has attempted to ease tensions. He has accepted some of the protesters’ demands.
Several officials linked to the civil service body overseeing the examinations have also resigned. Soren said problems could be resolved through dialogue.
The latest protests follow a major youth-led movement in New Delhi. The campaign focused on alleged problems within India’s examination system.
The New Delhi movement continued for 36 days. It was organised online by the Cockroach Janta Party.
The protests eventually contributed to the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The development gave the campaign unusual political significance.
The Jharkhand demonstrations reflect similar concerns among Indian students. Government examinations are viewed as an important path to employment.
Millions of young people compete for a limited number of public-sector positions in India. This has increased pressure on recruitment bodies to ensure fair examinations.
The protests also highlight wider frustration over examination integrity. Indian students are increasingly demanding transparent and reliable recruitment procedures.
Unlike the New Delhi movement, the Jharkhand protests are directed at the state government. The Jharkhand administration is led by a political alliance that opposes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party.
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The continuing demonstrations could increase pressure on authorities to address the students’ concerns. Protesters are expected to continue seeking action on disputed examinations and recruitment procedures.
