J'khand: Raghubar Das threatens hunger strike if CBI probe into exam irregularities not recommended

The BJP leader accused JMM-led government of playing with the fate of lakhs of students in the state.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday threatened to sit on a hunger strike if the JMM-led dispensation failed to recommend a CBI probe into alleged recruitment examination irregularities in the state within a week.

Raghubar Das alleged that massive recruitment scams took place in the last six years under the JMM-led regime. (PTI)

Thousands of students in Jharkhand have been agitating over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state for the past 19 days under the banner of the 'JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch'.

"If the state government fails to recommend a CBI probe into recruitment examination irregularities within a week, I will be forced to sit on a hunger strike here," Das, who was also the governor of Odisha, said while addressing agitating students at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

The BJP leader accused JMM-led government of playing with the fate of lakhs of students in the state.

"If the government is clean and has no involvement, it should recommend CBI probe into the irregularities. Otherwise, people of Jharkhand will consider there is involvement of top politicians and bureaucrats in the irregularities," he said.

Das alleged that massive recruitment scams took place in the last six years under the JMM-led regime.

He also demanded ₹1 crore compensation each for the next of kin of 19 people who died during physical tests for excise constable recruitment in 2024.

Over 15 aspirants lost their lives while undertaking physical tests during the drive in 2024.

The BJP has been attacking Hemant Soren's government over the deaths, alleging they were victims of the administration's mismanagement and negligence.

He alleged that the Ranchi district administration attempted to forcibly remove students from the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where they have been demonstrating against "irregularities" in recruitment examinations.

"I caution administrative officers that power comes and goes but you should be worried about your careers. Your careers are tied to the Government of India and Ministry of Home Affairs and you draw your salaries from taxpayers' money in Jharkhand.

"I strongly condemn the pressure tactics employed yesterday by these officials, which aimed at breaking students' morale and forcing them to call off the protest," he said.

The agitation has the support of four crore people of the state, and the government should not be arrogant, as the people who bring it to power can also uproot it, he said.