Jharkhand Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi said he and others were detained early in the morning at Khelgaon amid the ongoing student agitation in Ranchi.

Marandi said students had been holding sit-ins and hunger strikes for the past 15 days, arguing that their protest was part of a longer-running dispute rather than something that had begun only recently.

He said the students were demanding a CBI inquiry into the issues they had raised and questioned why the government had not simply ordered such an investigation.

Marandi also criticised the police action against the protesters, saying the students had already warned that they would march to the Legislative Assembly if a direct inquiry was not ordered.

He said the government could have approached the students and assured them that their concerns would be referred to the CBI instead of using force against them.

Marandi further accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of trying to “save face” over the handling of the student protest.

BJP state general secretary Amar Kumar Bauri on Monday accused the Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand government of behaving like a “dictatorial regime” over the handling of the ongoing JPSC-JSSC aspirants’ protest in Ranchi.

Bauri claimed that a BJP delegation had gone to Soren’s residence to discuss issues concerning the protesting students but was made to wait for nearly 11 hours.

“We had simply gone to meet Hemant Soren at his residence to discuss issues concerning students. And this dictatorial government, by keeping us waiting for 11 hours, from 10:30 AM until nearly 8:30 PM, has demonstrated that it is indeed a dictatorial regime,” Bauri said.

Bauri further alleged that the government did not tolerate criticism and questioned the silence of both Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the situation.

“They do not tolerate voices of dissent. Today, both Rahul Gandhi and Hemant Soren are silent,” he said.

Bauri also warned that the BJP would remember what he described as a “birthday gift” from Soren and claimed it would have political consequences in the upcoming elections.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday addressed students protesting over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, saying their concerns had been heard and assuring them that the government would take their demands seriously.

In a post on X, Soren said students had raised their demands peacefully and had the right to express their views in a democracy. He said it was the government’s responsibility to respect their voices.

Several students who were reportedly injured during the police lathi charge in Ranchi took shelter inside a temple premises amid the ongoing JPSC-JSSC protest.

Visuals showed protesters entering the temple while chanting “Bholenath” after the police action. The students had been marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto’s health has reportedly deteriorated amid his ongoing protest, following which he was taken to a hospital for medical treatment.

A woman protester in Ranchi alleged that male police officers used lathis against women during the ongoing JPSC-JSSC protest, claiming that several women were beaten despite sitting peacefully during the demonstration.

The protester alleged that police “lathi-charged the women, tore their clothes, and beat them” during the action. She questioned why female police personnel were not present at the spot.

“The male police officers rained lathi blows on the women. They should be ashamed,” the protester said in a statement to ANI.

She further alleged that the protesters had been treated “brutally” and described the police action as a “grave injustice”, adding that the alleged use of force would not be tolerated.

Police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse JPSC-JSSC aspirants who were protesting outside the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi.

The students have been demonstrating over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations, demanding action and an independent probe into their concerns.

JPSC-JSSC aspirants continued their protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi despite the rain on Monday. Holding umbrellas, the protesters were seen singing “Happy Birthday To You” for Chief Minister Hemant Soren, whose birthday falls on August 10.

The unusual birthday gesture came amid their ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations. The students have been demanding a full and independent CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL exam and wider reforms in the JPSC and JSSC recruitment processes.

BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal criticised the police action against JPSC-JSSC aspirants protesting in Ranchi, saying the students had been demonstrating peacefully and had consistently demanded a CBI inquiry.

Jaiswal said the students were genuine protesters and questioned why authorities did not speak to them instead of using force.

He said, “The students had been protesting peacefully for so long, and they had just one consistent demand: a CBI inquiry.”

Calling the lathi charge deeply distressing, Jaiswal added, “If everything was above board, why didn’t the authorities simply talk to them? The people there were genuine students; they weren’t criminals.”

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the use of force against students protesting in Jharkhand and called for their concerns to be addressed through dialogue.

In a post on X, Gandhi said, “Using force against students protesting in Jharkhand is wrong.”

He added that students have the right to hold peaceful protests and said that a solution could only be reached through dialogue. Gandhi also urged the Jharkhand government to listen to the protesting students and resolve their concerns at the earliest.

Gandhi’s remarks came as several students have been injured after police used tear gas and a lathi charge on protestors during the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march. Read More

Several protesters were reportedly injured after students clashed with police while reaching the final barricade near Jagannathpur Temple on the road leading to the new Assembly Complex.

A protester, Piyush Kumar Soni, alleged that police used batons despite the demonstration being peaceful. “The baton charge was barbaric. We were protesting peacefully, but the government used batons against us. They can only inflict physical injuries, not harm our thoughts,” he told PTI.

Another protester, Vikram Kumar, claimed that several female students were also injured during the police action. He said protesters were hit on their heads, arms and faces.

Kumar, who is from Hazaribagh, also claimed that he suffered a head injury. Questioning the police action, he said, “Whatever the Hemant Soren government is doing to us is not good. We were protesting peacefully, then why is your police baton charging us?”

Tension prevailed near the residential quarters of MLAs in Ranchi on Monday as a large number of students and job aspirants gathered to protest amid heavy police deployment.

A man was reportedly injured during the police lathi charge and was seen being taken away in an ambulance on a stretcher, according to Press Trust of India (PTI).

The protest was linked to the ongoing JPSC-JSSC examination row, with students and job aspirants demanding action over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

JPSC-JSSC aspirants have reached the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi amid the ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The development comes after police used force to control protesters during the earlier march.

The protesters are demanding action over the alleged irregularities and seeking reforms in the JPSC and JSSC examination process.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has announced plans to gherao the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly on August 11, protesting against the use of force on students during the JPSC-JSSC protest.

In a press release, the student organisation said water cannons, lathi charge and arrests would not silence the students’ demands. It called for the cancellation of exams it described as suspect and demanded an impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities.

The ABVP said the proposed Assembly gherao would be held in protest against the police action during Monday’s demonstration.

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto said the protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants were yet to receive any response from the government during their ongoing demonstration in Ranchi.

Speaking to ANI, Mahto said, “Till now, no one has come from the government side for talks.”

The protest has been organised over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations, with students demanding action on their concerns and reforms in the recruitment process.

JPSC-JSSC aspirants continued their protest outside the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on Monday, demanding a full and independent CBI investigation into the JSSC-CGL examination.

The protesters are also seeking wider reforms in the functioning and examination processes of both the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Student leader Ravindra Paswan appealed to protesters to keep the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ demonstration peaceful and follow constitutional methods while raising their demands.

The march in Ranchi was organised over alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations. Tensions rose after clashes between protesters and police during the demonstration.

Paswan said the students remained focused on their demands and alleged that some anti-social elements were trying to divert the protest.

“We are peaceful. Students are adamant about their issues. A few anti-social elements are attempting to take the protest in a different direction. But we, the students, are supporting our issue,” Paswan told ANI.

He also urged the administration to identify those allegedly trying to disrupt the students’ movement.

Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has called for dialogue and negotiations to address the protests by JPSC-JSSC aspirants in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

Speaking about the unrest, Kharge said, “Whether in Maharashtra or Jharkhand—there is immense discontent among students. However, I believe that when the path to communication and negotiation is open, it should be pursued.”

He also referred to the major incident at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar and said the protesters’ demand was for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to come to Parliament and address the issue.

Kharge said, “When there is such widespread discontent that has drawn global attention, shouldn’t Amit Shah come forward and make a statement?”

Questioning the use of force during the protests, he added, “We want to know who issued the orders that day—who authorized the use of pellet guns, tear gas, and lathi-charges?…”

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya strongly criticised the lathi charge on students protesting over alleged irregularities in JPSC examinations in Jharkhand.

Surya said the youth in the state had been raising concerns over alleged mismanagement in the JPSC system for several years. He alleged that the government supported by Rahul Gandhi used force against the protesting students as the Assembly session began.

Taking a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, Surya said, “Rahul Gandhi is demanding answers from the central government by obstructing the House, and there, the government he supports is carrying out a lathi charge on the youth.”

He further questioned the Congress leader’s stand on the Jharkhand protest and asked, “I want to ask Rahul Gandhi, is your demand one-sided?… Don’t the students of Jharkhand deserve justice?”

Surya also said, “I strongly condemn the lathi charge on students protesting in Jharkhand.”

Congress leader Pawan Khera welcomed the arrest of former JPSC chairman L Khiyangte by the Jharkhand CID, saying the move could help provide speedy justice to protesting students and resolve the ongoing stir.

Khera also criticised the Centre, alleging that the central government was protecting those responsible for violating students’ rights. He further claimed that the “Gujarat model is a scam” while reacting to the arrest.

“In a bid to provide speedy justice to students and a prompt resolution to the ongoing student protests, former JPSC Chairperson L. Khiangte has been arrested by the Jharkhand CID. This feels like a dream in a country where the central government seems hell-bent on shielding those responsible for trampling students’ rights. Clearly, the Gujarat model is a scam,” he said in a post on X.

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha questioned the BJP over its criticism of the examination system, asking why the party was not also demanding an investigation into alleged irregularities and appointments made during its time in power.

The party called for a thorough, impartial investigation without political pressure. It said that anyone found involved, whether an official, commission member, middleman or person linked to a political party, should face questioning and strict action if found guilty.

The JMM also accused the BJP of trying to use the students’ protest for political purposes. It alleged that outsiders were being brought in to disturb the situation and that the resulting chaos was then being used as a political issue.

The party said the students of Jharkhand were protesting for jobs and justice, not for any political party’s agenda.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Monday arrested former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L Khiyangte, amid ongoing protests by JPSC aspirants in the state.

Khiyangte had stepped down from his post on July 22. His arrest comes as thousands of candidates are protesting and marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process.

The protesters are demanding action against those allegedly responsible for the irregularities and seeking answers from the authorities.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has criticised the lathi charge on JPSC-JSSC aspirants protesting in Ranchi, saying students in Jharkhand have been raising concerns over alleged mismanagement in the recruitment examinations for years.

Surya alleged that the Jharkhand government, which he said is supported by Rahul Gandhi, used force against the protesting youth as the Assembly session began.

He also questioned Rahul Gandhi’s stand on the issue, pointing out that while the Congress leader seeks answers from the Centre by disrupting Parliament, the government supported by his party is facing allegations of using lathis and water cannons against protesting students in Jharkhand.

Surya asked whether Rahul Gandhi would also seek justice for the students protesting in Jharkhand.

BJP leader Amit Malviya alleged that tear gas shells were fired at students who were peacefully protesting in Jharkhand following a lathi charge.

Malviya said the Hemant Soren government would have to answer for the police action against the protesters. He also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, accusing them of remaining silent over the Jharkhand protests despite speaking about student issues in other states.

“After the lathi charge, tear gas shells are now also being fired at the students who are peacefully protesting. The Hemant Soren government will have to answer for this. And Rahul Gandhi, Arvind Kejriwal, and their cockroaches too, who do politics in the name of students in other states, but are silent on this so-called suppression being carried out against students in Jharkhand. They should drown in shame,” he wrote in a post on X.

BJP leader Babulal Marandi alleged that the arrest of former Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) chairman L. Khiangte by the CID was merely a “sham” and claimed that the Hemant Soren government would grant him default bail without filing a charge sheet.

Marandi said students’ demands go beyond the JPSC issue, alleging large-scale irregularities in exams including JSSC’s Assistant Professor, CGL, Product Constable and PGT examinations. He demanded action against officials allegedly responsible and called for the immediate suspension of JSSC acting chairman IAS Prashant Kumar, along with an FIR and a CBI probe into the matter.

Protester Devendra Mahto alleged that the government is using tear gas and lathi charge against protesting students amid the ongoing exam row. He claimed that three rounds of action had already taken place, adding that there was now “no need to talk” and warning that the government could be in trouble if it failed to listen to the students.

Protester Devendra Nath Mahto has said his hunger strike over the ongoing exam row will continue until the students’ demands are addressed. Mahto urged the protesters to remain peaceful, while saying the government should take a decision in favour of the students.

“Scenes like Delhi’s Jantar Mantar shouldn’t happen here,” Mahto said, stressing that the protest would continue peacefully until their demands are met.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Vikram Kumar, a student protester injured in the police lathicharge during the Jharkhand Assembly march, claimed that protesters were demonstrating peacefully when police suddenly used force.

Kumar criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren, saying the protesters had neither abused nor provoked the police. He called the lathicharge unjustified.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi accused the state government of failing to take concrete action on the demands of protesting JPSC-JSSC aspirants. He said students had been protesting for 14-15 days, with some on hunger strike and others hospitalised due to illness.

Marandi said Opposition MLAs had sought to meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren to discuss alleged examination irregularities and the students’ demand for a CBI probe. He alleged that the MLAs were stopped at the CM’s residence and later detained when they attempted to raise the issue in the Assembly. Marandi termed the government’s handling of the protest “dictatorial.”

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: Protesting students breached the eighth layer of barricading and reached the Jharkhand Assembly premises during their ongoing march. The students have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: Protestors continued to move towards the Jharkhand Assembly building in Ranchi despite police using water cannons to stop the march.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: Police baton-charged job aspirants protesting against alleged exam irregularities after they attempted to breach barricades near the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Protesting students broke through a third set of barricades during their march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, despite police personnel pushing against the barricades to stop them.

The protesters refused to step back even as police deployed multiple rounds of water cannons. Police subsequently resorted to lathicharge to disperse the protesters as they continued their march towards the Assembly.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto joined the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in an ambulance on Monday despite being on a hunger strike for the past nine days.

Speaking to ANI, Mahto said he had reached the protest site in an ambulance and was now proceeding on a stretcher. “Despite being on a hunger strike, I have come here. They won’t be able to stop us,” he said.

Mahto added that the Jharkhand government would have to accept the students’ demands.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Students protesting under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch continued their march towards the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly in large numbers, intensifying their agitation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The protest has seen heavy police deployment across Ranchi, with several BJP leaders, including former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and state BJP president Aditya Sahu, detained while demonstrating outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence.

Students gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium before setting out for the Assembly, with many wearing “VOLUNTEER” T-shirts. As the march progressed, protesters breached police barricades and moved forward towards the Assembly, while water cannons were deployed at the protest site.

The agitation has now entered its 17th day. Students are demanding the cancellation of certain recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC, along with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities.

The developments come a day after the Jharkhand government agreed to cancel the 14th JPSC preliminary examination and backlog examinations held in 2023 and 2025. However, protesters have remained firm on their demand for a CBI probe, particularly into the JSSC-CGL examination.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: Student protesters marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly were stopped by police near Jagannath Mandir, around 3 km from the Assembly complex. Volunteers leading the protest asked demonstrators to sit peacefully before proceeding further. Police personnel had so far cooperated with the march.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: Protesting students marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly breached police barricades, as per reports. The protesters had been stopped near the Old Vidhan Sabha Chowk before they moved forward by stepping over the barricades. Police and security personnel have been deployed along the route, with water cannon and riot-control vehicles stationed near the protest site. Volunteers leading the march have been urging protesters to maintain peace.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and BJP leader Babulal Marandi demanded a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC examinations.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Marandi accused the JMM-Congress government of “selling jobs” through the examinations and alleged that this had harmed students from poor, Dalit, tribal and rural backgrounds. He said the BJP would continue to raise the issue “from the streets to the Assembly” until justice is delivered to protesting students.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates: JPSC protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto left for the Jharkhand Assembly in an ambulance amid the ongoing students’ march over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Mahto is among the student leaders participating in the protest.

Jharkhand Students Protest Live Updates:Protesting students marching from the Old Assembly building towards the New Assembly building breached police barricades during Monday’s demonstration. Security personnel in riot gear were deployed at the protest site as the march continued amid heightened security arrangements.