Jharkhand’s recruitment-examination protest intensified on Tuesday as a statewide bandh was observed over the police action against job aspirants, opposition parties disrupted the Assembly and student leader Devendra Nath Mahto remained in hospital after his health deteriorated during the agitation.

The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned sine die—one day before the scheduled end of its session—amid protests by opposition legislators over the use of force against students marching towards the legislature.

Several ABVP workers were also detained after they attempted to march towards the Assembly on Tuesday in protest against Monday’s police action. Indian Express live updates

What Happened During the Assembly March?

Thousands of candidates preparing for state government jobs marched from the old Assembly complex towards the new Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha in Ranchi on Monday.

The protesters breached several barricades and reached close to the Assembly’s Gate No. 1. Police used water cannons, tear-gas shells and batons after sections of the crowd attempted to cross the final security barriers.

Protesters, including women, alleged that they were injured during the police action. Police officials said four personnel were hurt after stones were thrown at security forces.

No consolidated, independently verified figure for the number of injured protesters had been released at the time of publication.

Ranchi police said “mild force” was used after some demonstrators became aggressive. Student organisations disputed that description and accused the police of using excessive force against job aspirants. The New Indian Express

Devendra Nath Mahto Hospitalised

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who had been on a hunger strike for nine days, participated in the Assembly march while travelling in an ambulance and lying on a stretcher.

He was admitted to hospital after his blood-sugar level reportedly dropped sharply. Akashvani News confirmed that Mahto was hospitalised after his condition deteriorated during the agitation. An official medical bulletin providing a detailed update on his condition was not immediately available. Akashvani News

Why Are Jharkhand’s Students Protesting?

The agitation began on July 25 and is being led by candidates alleging irregularities, delays and suspected paper leaks in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.

Their principal demands include:

• Cancellation of the disputed JSSC-CGL examination
• Cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination
• A CBI inquiry into alleged examination irregularities
• An independent investigation by retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand
• Comprehensive reforms in the functioning of JPSC and JSSC
• Time-bound recruitment calendars and greater transparency in examinations

The protesters have sought the cancellation of 13 disputed examinations. They claim the state has so far agreed to cancel only three.

Government Accepts Some Demands

The Jharkhand government has agreed to cancel three examinations, including the preliminary examination for the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services recruitment.

It has also agreed to involve the Enforcement Directorate in investigating alleged financial irregularities linked to the examination process. The ED has initiated a money-laundering investigation based on police and CID cases.

The state CID has arrested former JPSC chairman L. Khiangte in connection with alleged recruitment-examination irregularities. His arrest does not establish guilt, and the allegations will have to be tested in court.

Reuters reported that the government had held negotiations with student representatives, claimed that most demands had been accepted and remained willing to continue discussions. Reuters

BJP Calls Statewide Bandh

The BJP called a Jharkhand bandh from Tuesday morning until midnight, accusing the Hemant Soren government of using force against students instead of resolving their grievances.

The party’s state leadership claimed that hundreds of candidates had been injured. That figure had not been independently verified.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government respected students’ right to raise their concerns and promised that their demands would be examined seriously. He appealed for dialogue and accused sections of the opposition of attempting to politicise the agitation.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the use of force and asked the Jharkhand government—led by Congress ally JMM—to resolve the dispute through talks.

What Happens Next?

The immediate focus will be on Mahto’s health, negotiations between the government and protest representatives, and official orders implementing the cancellation of the three examinations.

Students are also awaiting clarity on whether the government will accept their demand for a CBI investigation and cancel the remaining disputed recruitment tests.

Until written orders and revised examination schedules are issued, candidates should rely on official notifications from JPSC, JSSC and the Jharkhand government.

Students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations broke through police barricades in Ranchi on Monday while marching towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

The demonstration is the latest escalation in the agitation concerning examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.

Protesters began assembling near the Old Assembly building before proceeding towards the new Assembly complex. Security personnel in riot gear were deployed along the route, while barricades and restrictions were imposed around the legislature.

Hunger-Striking Leader Joins March

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been observing an indefinite hunger strike, joined the demonstration after arriving in an ambulance. He was later seen being carried on a stretcher as protesters continued towards the Assembly.

The demonstrators are demanding the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes.

Students participating in the march said they had been instructed to remain peaceful and avoid inconvenience to the public. However, tensions rose when protesters breached barricades near the Old Assembly building.

BJP Leaders Detained

In a parallel demonstration, BJP leaders protested outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence. Police detained several party leaders from the site.

Jharkhand Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi demanded a CBI investigation into the disputed examinations, accusing the state government of failing to address the concerns of job aspirants.

Government Says Most Demands Accepted

Jharkhand minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government had accepted nearly all demands that fell within its authority.

She said the demand to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination was connected with judicial proceedings and could not be decided solely by the state administration. The government was willing to allow judicial monitoring of the investigation, she added.

Singh also said proposed recruitment reforms could include an expert committee involving representatives from institutions such as the IITs, IIMs, XLRI and ISM.

The Enforcement Directorate has reportedly registered a case to examine possible financial irregularities connected with the recruitment controversy.