Jharkhand protest highlights: Jharkhand SSC secretary Sudhir Gupta questioned by CID, day after JSSC-CGL cancelled

Jharkhand protest LIVE: RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday lauded the Jharkhand government's efforts regarding dialogue with the student protesters.

“The government there has spoken very well with the students. They have adopted a very positive approach. Every demand of the students has been accepted,” he told ANI news agency.

Yadav criticised the governments in BJP-ruled states, claiming, “Wherever there is a BJP government, they neither talk nor do anything else. The issue of paper leaks keeps coming up continuously, due to which students remain disappointed and there is anger among the people.”

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Cockroach Janta Party chief spokesperson Saurav Das on Tuesday congratulated the students of Jharkhand after the state government cancelled the JSSC-CGL exams.

“First of all, the entire CJP and the youth of the country want to congratulate the students of Jharkhand because they have achieved a major victory today and got their demands accepted by the government after so many days of protest...” PTI news agency cited Das as saying.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Tuesday said the state government took the “right step” in cancelling the JSSC-CGL and other recruitment exams.

“The Jharkhand government has taken the right step and set a fine example for the nation,” Tirkey told PTI news agency.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto said that a CID or a CBI inquiry “cannot give justice” to the students after the state government accepted the students' demands and cancelled all recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL exam, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014.

“A CBI or CID inquiry cannot give justice to the students. We are demanding a guarantee of a leak-proof examination system and transparency in the future. I have a blueprint to achieve this, which I will share with the government. 14 exams have been cancelled; this is a historic win,” he told ANI.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hailed the "understanding" reached between protesting students and the Jharkhand government, saying it was the "right way" as Chief Minister Hemant Soren chose dialogue while the students exercised restraint and got their demands accepted.

"An understanding has been reached between the students of Jharkhand and the state government, and the students have ended their hunger strike – it was heartening to hear this news," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

"Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji and the Jharkhand government chose the path of dialogue and arrived at a solution. The students exercised restraint and made their demands accepted," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Mahto, who had been on hunger strike for 16 days over the alleged exam irregularities, ended the fast around Monday midnight.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he said, "All our demands regarding cancellation of the examinations, including the JSSC-CGL and all examinations conducted by TDPL, have been accepted. This is a historic victory for the students' movement. For this historic victory, I thank all the protesters and students who supported and stood by the movement."

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reiterated his support for students across India, hailing the importance of peaceful dialogue and calling for systemic reforms to safeguard young job seekers.

In a post on X, he said, "A consensus has been reached between the students of Jharkhand and the state government, and the students have ended their hunger strike - it was heartening to hear this news."

Jharkhand protest LIVE: "Tell us our crime. Don't throw us out." The plea from successful candidates outside the Jharkhand Secretariat on Tuesday reflected the anxiety of around 2,000 people who fear losing their jobs after the state government decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam.

The cancellation was one of the key demands of those protesting against the exam and was expected to bring the agitation to an end.

However, the government now faces another challenge, with around 2,000 candidates who cleared the JSSC-CGL exam worried that the decision could cost them their jobs.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Piyush Kumar on Tuesday questioned the Jharkhand government's stand on a CBI probe into the exam irregularities.

“What is the government's stance on a CBI inquiry? We have some doubts regarding the government's position on that. So, the agitation will continue until a consensus is reached on all these matters. We stated from day one that we would not budge until the very last demand was met,” he told ANI.

He added, “Absolutely, our protest will continue. Last night, Deepika Ma'am and Dr Irfan Ansari came to ask us to break the hunger strike, but our protesters refused to do so.”

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Piyush Kumar on Tuesday said the agitation over the JSSC-CGL and TDPL-conducted exams will continue until the Jharkhand government addresses all their demands.

Speaking to ANI, Piyush said, "We first want to see whether the JSSC notification has actually been withdrawn. TDPL had prepared the final merit list. We also want to understand the government's stance regarding the CDPO and FSO exams; that remains unclear. Thirdly, regarding the age cut-off--we had demanded the 2018 cut-off, but the government's position on this is not clear."

Jharkhand protest LIVE: RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha told news agency ANI, “The Jharkhand government has listened to the students' voices with great sensitivity. The Jharkhand government did not fire pellet guns at students nor did it use nail-studded lathis against them."

He added, "The students had certain long-standing demands, which the government has promised to fulfill. There is a message for all governments—including the central government—that you cannot simply evade the issue by branding students as 'anti-nationals' or ‘Dimagi Naxals’”.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: BJP MP Bhola Singh welcomed the Jharkhand government’s decision to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam, but said it should have acted sooner as students had been protesting for a long time.

“It took them (Jharkhand govt) a long time to understand the demands of the students when they had been protesting for long. The government should have taken an early decision. It is good that students' demands have been accepted now," he told ANI.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Protesters continued their hunger strike at Jaipal Munda Stadium. Protester Savita Kumari told PTI they welcomed the cancellation of the CGL exam conducted by TDPL Ltd. However, she said their main demand for a CBI probe remains unmet, along with the demand to cancel the 11th and 13th JPSC exams. She said protesters have lost faith in the CID after earlier investigations, including the 2023 JSSC CGL issue.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations may decide on Tuesday whether to withdraw their demonstration after the state government cancelled all recruitment tests conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014, including the JSSC-CGL exam.

"Today, our protest enters its 25th day. We may decide whether we continue or call the agitation off after the government's announcement," a protesting student told news agency PTI.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: The protesters refused to go home just yet, as their demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the examination irregularities remained unheard.

Jharkhand minister Dipika Pandey Singh termed the protesters' demand for a CBI probe as "stubbornness".

She alleged the central agency has failed to deliver concrete results in cases related to paper leaks since 2015.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike in Ranchi after the government announced the cancellation of the key examinations.

Speaking to ANI, he said they would support the government's investigation into the alleged examination irregularities. However, he added that they wanted a system that could prevent paper leaks and other irregularities in the future.

"We, the students, will continue to support this investigation and the effort to eradicate this corrupt system at its very roots, and we will persist in our struggle regarding the ongoing reform process... If our issues are resolved and our demands met, why would we need to hold further protests? We are currently awaiting an official notice. In my life, I have seen many instances where CBI or CID investigations were ordered and then cancelled. We need a system where the government guarantees that paper leaks and irregularities will never happen again in the future; we need a guarantee of such a system... We will cooperate with the government in this endeavour, and we expect the government to continue its support in the same manner," he said.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: The Criminal Investigation Department on Monday began conducting raids at the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission office in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, news agency PTI reported, quoting an officer.

"We are conducting raids at the JSSC office in connection with alleged irregularities in various examinations," CID ADG Manoj Kaushik told PTI.

Jharkhand protest LIVE: Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren announced on Monday that the JSSC-CGL examination and all other recruitment examinations conducted by TDPL would be cancelled.

"There have been some startling revelations in the ongoing CID and SIT probes. After much deliberation in the cabinet, it has been decided to cancel the JSSC CGL. All other exams conducted by TDPL will also be cancelled," Soren said.

He also directed the CID to examine alleged irregularities in all recruitment examinations conducted in the state since 2014.

Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto ended his hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all examinations conducted by TDPL.

Speaking to reporters, Mahto thanked CM Soren, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, and state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari for accepting the aspirants' demands.

He also called for stricter laws and reforms to strengthen the examination system and prevent paper leaks.

"Today marks a huge victory for Jharkhand. While I am now suspending my protest, my struggle for reform will continue. I envision an education system where paper leaks and irregularities do not occur--a system that guarantees that children currently in primary or secondary school would not have to make such sacrifices or fight such battles when they eventually appear for JPSC or JSSC exams. If this requires the Legislative Assembly to enact new laws or necessitates a constitutional amendment, then so be it. Every examination must be monitored, every examination must be audited, and there must be a clear certificate for every examination and at every stage; we will continue to struggle for this," he said.

State Minister Dipika Pandey on Monday assured students that the government would introduce reforms to strengthen the examination system and take strict action against those involved in paper leaks.

"Since the first day, I have been telling you that Jharkhand will set an example; we have a model of legislation to ensure strict punishment for the culprits of paper leaks. I can confidently tell you that the reforms we will bring after consultation and taking suggestions from students will be a model for the entire nation," she said.

"I would like to appeal to the students that through your efforts, a major issue which is not only Jharkhand-specific but is troubling students across the country today, with your efforts, we have led this movement towards a positive conclusion. We assure you that we will rectify the flaws in our system based on your suggestions, and the agencies involved will ensure that the culprits are not spared, and Jharkhand will become an example."

After ending his hunger strike, student leader Devendra Mahto said, "While we will continue to struggle for further reforms, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Jharkhand Government, the Chief Minister, and Rahul Gandhi for the magnanimity shown today. The decision taken today was not easy—especially given that the CGL exam appointments and joining processes had already taken place and there were conflicting pleas from students claiming that their cases were genuine. Yet, by conducting an honest and impartial inquiry and finding a way forward for everyone, the government has taken a monumental decision..."

After the student leaders ended their hunger strike, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said, "The government has accepted all their demands; these were significant demands and a major issue. However, in the interest of the youth, our Chief Minister took such a historic decision. The agitation—which was in the interest of the youth—has ended."

"We have arrived, a full medical check-up has been conducted, and they are being discharged. All three are healthy; there are no issues—their blood pressure and blood sugar levels are normal. From the information I have received, everything is fine."

After ending his hunger strike, Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said, "Today, on the 16th day of our hunger strike, we have ended our fast in a very dignified manner. Thanks to the joint initiative of Jharkhand Government Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Dipika Pandey, and our MLA Jairam Mahato, the demands for which we were agitating in a constitutional and peaceful manner have been met. Consequently, we are announcing the suspension of our peaceful protest today."

Student leader Devendra Mahto ended his hunger strike in the presence of Jharkhand ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari at Sadar Hospital, following the CM’s announcement to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TDPL.

Jharkhand student leaders Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti ended their hunger strike in the presence of state ministers Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari at Sadar Hospital, following the CM’s announcement to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination and all exams conducted by TDPL.