New Delhi: The anger of students regarding alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand has now reached the CM residence from the streets. On Sunday, agitating students burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav at Ranchi's Albert Ekka Chowk.
Effigy burning with torch procession
Students took out a torch procession from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk. As soon as they reached the square, they burnt the effigies of the three leaders and raised slogans against the government. The protest reached its 23rd day on Sunday.
#WATCH | Ranchi, Jharkhand | Protest by JPSC-JSSC aspirants. Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations burn the effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. pic.twitter.com/lFNMd2FA2r
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2026
The students allege that the JMM-Congress government is not taking their demands seriously. One student said, "The government has not yet spoken formally. Today SDM and ADM had come only to inquire about the condition of the students sitting on hunger strike. There was no talk of the meeting."
Ultimatum to surround CM residence on August 20
The students have given the government an ultimatum till August 18. If the demands are not met, lakhs of students will reach Ranchi on August 20 and surround the Chief Minister's residence. JPSC-JSSC Reforms Forum leader Ravindra Paswan said, "We will gherao the CM residence and demand resignation. Both JMM and Congress are doing politics with us. If CM is not listening then Rahul Gandhi should withdraw support from the alliance."
The students clearly said that unless the government accepts their demands, the movement will not return. He has appealed to the students from all over Jharkhand to reach Ranchi on August 20.
What is the demand of the students?
The students' agitation has been going on since July 25. The main demand is for transparency and improvement in the examinations of JPSC and JSSC. 6 students are also sitting on indefinite hunger strike. The students are demanding cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE and PGT exams held after 2019.
Along with CBI investigation into the irregularities, "mafia and agencies" There is demand for action, release of category-wise cut-off, making OMR copy and response sheet public and making recruitment calendar on UPSC-SSC pattern.
What step will the government take?
After pressure the government made some announcements. There was talk of CID investigation into irregularities in the backlog recruitments of 14th JPSC and 2023-25, ED investigation into suspicious financial transactions, fast-track court and formation of an expert committee for recruitment reforms.
On August 9, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also accepted the resignation of three JPSC members on the recommendation of the government. During the assembly siege on August 10, the police used tear gas, water cannon and lathicharge. Now the movement has become more intense.