Jharkhand Student Protest: The ongoing student movement in Jharkhand against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the JPSC and JSSC competitive examinations is steadily intensifying. On Sunday, the 16th day of the protest, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) MLA Jairam Mahto openly came out in support of the students. He undertook a day-long waterless fast at the old assembly complex in Ranchi.
Jairam Mahato stated that this fast is in support of the students who have been protesting and on hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for the past several days. Meanwhile, protesting student Nishant Yadav leveled serious allegations against the state government, calling it stubborn and authoritarian. The students allege that various recruitment exams have been marred by paper leaks, rigging, and irregularities. The protesting students are demanding transparency in the examination process, impartial investigations into alleged irregularities, and reforms to the recruitment system.
Jairam Mahato did a waterless fast
The ongoing student protest in Jharkhand regarding the JPSC-JSSC recruitment exams received support from JLKM MLA Jairam Mahto on Sunday. He held a day-long fast in support of the students at the old assembly premises. He had previously announced a fast on August 9th. Jairam Mahto said that students have been protesting at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for a long time, and many are also on hunger strike. He observed a day-long fast in support of them.
Jairam Mahato’s scathing attack on the government
Jairam Mahato questioned the state government’s role in the protests. He said the ruling government should engage in dialogue with the protesting students and find solutions to their problems.
He questioned why the government only comes forward for talks when students protest, stage sit-ins, and launch hunger strikes. Jairam Mahto said the government should listen seriously to the students’ concerns and find a permanent solution to the questions raised regarding recruitment exams.
Called the government ‘stubborn and dictatorial’
Protesting student Nishant Yadav also expressed his displeasure with the government. He stated that the government is not taking the students’ demands seriously enough. Describing the government as stubborn and authoritarian, Nishant Yadav said that students are forced to escalate the protest to make their point clear to the government. Describing himself as a competitive exam aspirant, he said that he has taken exams like CGL, JPSC, PGT, and JET, and that he has observed irregularities in these exams.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: JLKM MLA Jairam Mahato says, “To strengthen the protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, I have organised a one-day waterless fast at my level. I have been sitting here since 6 a.m…” pic.twitter.com/tlABDE5up1
— IANS (@ians_india) August 9, 2026
Allegations of irregularities in JPSC-JSSC examinations
Students are constantly raising questions about the system of competitive examinations in Jharkhand. Protesting candidates allege that paper leaks, rigging, and other irregularities have occurred in several JPSC and JSSC examinations.
Students say transparency must be ensured in the recruitment process and that the examinations, which have raised serious questions, must be investigated impartially. Discontent has already built up among students over the agitation, with many candidates continuing to protest and hold hunger strikes to press their demands.
Concerns about the deteriorating health of the students on hunger strike
Several students are on hunger strike at the ongoing protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. There are concerns that the health of some students may deteriorate due to the continuous fasting. The protesting students say they will continue their protest until concrete action is taken on their key demands. Previous rounds of talks between the government and the students have been held, but no concrete solution has been reached.
Voices have been raised in support of the student movement before.
The JPSC-JSSC controversy has seen a steady outpouring of support among students in Jharkhand. Many candidates and youth have expressed support for the movement on social media and demanded transparency in the recruitment process. Currently, the student movement is ongoing, and Jairam Mahato’s waterless hunger strike may further increase pressure on the government regarding this issue.