Student Unions Plan March to State Assembly as Agitation Enters 14th Day

Ranchi, Aug 7: The ongoing agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations took a serious turn on Friday when one of the protesters observing a hunger strike had to be rushed to hospital after his health took a turn for the worse.

The protester, identified as student leader Rahul Kranti, had been fasting since Tuesday night as part of the demonstration. He was shifted by ambulance to Ranchi Sadar Hospital for medical attention after his condition worsened, an official confirmed. Kranti had earlier in the day said that although protesters had requested the administration to arrange a health check-up at the site, no doctors had turned up even by 8:30 am.

Kranti was among five protesters — including two women — who joined the fast on Tuesday night in solidarity with Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has now been without food for six consecutive days.

The agitation, now in its 14th day, is centred on allegations of irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination. Protesters are demanding that the exam be cancelled altogether and that an independent investigation be conducted — either by the CBI or by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside the state. As the protest continued on Friday, two student unions announced plans to march to the state assembly, which is currently in session.

Beyond the immediate demand for a probe, protesters are also pushing for sweeping structural reforms within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The movement, which began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, has since grown into one of the most significant student-led protests the state has witnessed in recent years.

The agitation had earlier drawn national attention when social activist Sonam Wangchuk — who himself had recently undergone a 26-day hunger strike in Delhi over the NEET paper leak controversy — spoke with Mahto over the phone on Wednesday and urged him to at least consume water. Mahto has since begun taking water, though he continues to refuse food.