Job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations have announced a major protest against the state government. The protesting students said they will gherao Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s official residence on August 20 and demand accountability for the alleged irregularities.

The announcement was made on Saturday, which marked the 22nd day of the students’ indefinite strike. The protesters also organised a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ as part of their ongoing agitation.

Why are JPSC-JSSC aspirants protesting?

The students have been demanding the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities. They have also demanded that the investigation be conducted by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.

Piyush Singh, spokesperson of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, said this was the first time the protesters were demanding accountability from those in power. He said the students had been following a peaceful, Gandhian approach but their demands had not received the desired response.

Singh said that if the government does not accept their demands, the protesters will march to the chief minister’s residence on August 20 and continue their sit-in until their demands are addressed.

Why are students demanding Hemant Soren’s resignation?

JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch leader Ravindra Paswan said the protesters are also demanding Hemant Soren’s resignation. He alleged that both the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress were playing politics over the students’ concerns.

The protesters have also appealed to Congress to withdraw its support from the JMM-led coalition if the chief minister does not act on their demands.

The August 20 protest could therefore become a major escalation in the ongoing JPSC-JSSC agitation, with students seeking direct government intervention and accountability.