Jharkhand JPSC-JSSC Row Escalates: Students Warn of Assembly Gherao on August 10, Accuse Government of ‘Dividing’ Protest

Ranchi: The standoff between the Jharkhand government and students protesting over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations intensified on Saturday, with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum accusing the government of attempting to weaken the agitation by creating divisions among student groups.

The forum, which has been spearheading the ongoing protest, alleged that the government was playing a “political game” by holding fresh talks with student organizations associated with the Congress and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), despite those groups having no role in the current agitation.

According to the Reforms Forum, its representatives had already placed all their demands before the government during a meeting held late Friday night. The forum questioned the need for another round of discussions with different student organizations the following day.

‘Conspiracy to Divide Students’: Forum

Reforms Forum leader Ravindra Paswan termed the government’s approach a political maneuver aimed at dividing the student movement and diverting public attention from their demands.

Paswan said the students remain united despite the government’s alleged attempts to create differences within the movement. He added that protesters were “deeply hurt and angry” over the government’s handling of the issue.

The forum has issued a strong warning that if its demands are not accepted by Sunday, more than 50,000 students from across Jharkhand will converge on Ranchi and march towards the Legislative Assembly on August 10.

Hunger Strike Adds to Pressure

The situation has also become more serious with several students continuing their hunger strike. Rahul Kranti, a member of the forum who was observing an indefinite hunger strike, was admitted to Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated.

Three other students are also reportedly continuing their hunger strike.

Paswan questioned who would be responsible if the health condition of any of the fasting students worsened or an untoward incident occurred.

Five Rounds of Talks, No Breakthrough

A government committee comprising ministers Deepika Pandey Singh, Sudivya Kumar, Chamra Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav held five rounds of discussions with various student organizations beginning Friday night.

However, the talks failed to produce a breakthrough. The protesting students have maintained that the agitation will continue until their demands regarding the JPSC-JSSC examination process are addressed.

With the August 10 Assembly gherao warning looming, the confrontation between the government and protesting students is now set for another major escalation.