Ranchi, August 18: Students in Jharkhand have concluded their hunger strike following the state government’s announcement to cancel all exams conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and TDPCL. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto stated that the protesters will now demand the implementation of a law that guarantees leak-free examinations as part of the “second phase” of their movement.
Mahto emphasized that the goal of the protest extends beyond the cancellation of specific exams. It aims to establish a transparent and corruption-free recruitment and examination system in Jharkhand.
In an interview with a news agency, Mahto remarked, “The CGL exam canceled yesterday was also scrapped due to a paper leak on January 28, 2024. Even during the re-examination, leaks occurred, leading to another cancellation. What guarantees do we have that such incidents won’t happen again with the 14 exams that have already been canceled?”
He expressed gratitude towards the government, students, and supporters for recognizing their demands regarding exam irregularities as the first phase of their movement’s success. However, he noted that investigations into these irregularities have been ongoing since Jharkhand’s formation, yet justice remains elusive for students.
Mahto stated, “We want recruitment exams that are secure from any paper leaks. The government must ensure a system that eliminates any possibility of leaks, question paper tampering, or any form of malpractice during exams. We should be assured that those who engage in such activities will face the strictest penalties, and laws should be passed by the state assembly to this effect. If necessary, constitutional amendments can also be pursued to achieve this goal. This is the second phase of our struggle.”
He added that the implementation of such a law would benefit future generations as well. After ending the hunger strike, Mahto mentioned, “Today, on the 16th day of our hunger strike, we have respectfully concluded our fast. We decided to stop our hunger strike thanks to the joint efforts of Jharkhand’s Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Deepika Pandey, and our MLA Jairam Mahto. All the demands for which we protested constitutionally and peacefully have been met.”
A special cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday decided to cancel all exams conducted by JSSC-CGL and TDPCL.
Following this announcement, a wave of joy swept through the protesting students at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Despite heavy rain, the demonstrators embraced each other, shared sweets, chanted slogans, and celebrated with colors and fireworks. They hailed the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam after 24 days of protest as a significant victory.
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