Ranchi: The students’ protest in Jharkhand’s Ranchi entered its 16th day Sunday with no signs of retreat, as the second round of talks between the protesting students and the state government once again failed to produce any breakthrough or agreement on their key demands.
The students have been staging their protest continuously at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium after alleged irregularities in the 14th Civil Services Preliminary Examination conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) came to light on July 2.
Several student leaders have been observing hunger strikes in support of the ongoing agitation. The protesting students have also accused the government of resorting to “empty promises” by repeatedly holding discussions with their representatives but failing to accept or act upon the demands raised by the students.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato has been on a hunger strike since August 2, and his health condition has been deteriorating since late Saturday night. Following the deterioration in his health, a team of doctors reached the protest site and administered saline to Mahato. According to the doctors, his blood sugar level had dropped significantly, and the saline was administered as a precautionary measure.
Despite his worsening health condition, Mahato has maintained that he will not withdraw from the agitation or compromise on his demands. He has clearly stated that his hunger strike and the broader student protest will continue until a concrete solution is found to the issues raised by the aspirants.
Mahato said, “At around 2:30 a.m., they took a blood sample and conducted a test. The blood sugar level was very low. After that, they started administering saline, and since then, the condition has improved slightly.”
Meanwhile, student leader Chandan accused the government and administration of attempting to suppress the ongoing protest and remove the students from the demonstration site.
Speaking to IANS, he said, “Police officers and the administration were attempting to remove the students from the protest site at night. The students will not back down from their demands and will seek justice. Mahto is unwell; his blood sugar levels dropped last night. However, he has decided to continue with the strike.”
Student leader Prem Nayak, who is also participating in the hunger strike, said that efforts were being made to weaken the movement while the government continued to invite student representatives for talks without addressing their core demands.
Nayak said, “This is my sixth day on hunger strike. Devendra Babu’s health is also slightly deteriorating… Efforts are being made to weaken the movement, while at the same time, the delegation is being called and offered empty assurances. I just want to make it clear to the government not to waste our time by calling us for talks and not accepting our demands.”
Another student leader, Mahendra Prasad Mandal, said that the protest was being undertaken not only over the current recruitment examinations but also for the future of students who depend on government jobs and fear that irregularities in the recruitment system could undermine their opportunities.
Mandal said, “I was also a student. After spending my student life, when we could not get jobs because of the corrupt system in Jharkhand, we decided to go on a hunger strike for the sake of future generations. The government is repeatedly calling the delegation team, but it is not openly taking our demands into consideration. Tomorrow is August 10, and there will also be a protest march to the Assembly.”
The students have maintained that their primary demand is the cancellation of the examinations in which they allege that irregularities took place, along with an impartial investigation into the recruitment process and greater transparency in future examinations.
Earlier, during the first round of discussions Friday, a five-member government delegation and a 10-member student delegation participated in the talks. The students placed each of their demands before the government and sought a clear response on the issues raised during the ongoing agitation.
However, the second round of talks between the Jharkhand government and the protesting students, held Saturday, once again ended without a breakthrough.
The discussions failed to resolve the differences between the two sides or convince the protesting students to withdraw their agitation.