Ranchi
With the Jharkhand government facing a sustained student mobilisation over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Independence Day sought to reach out directly to the State’s youth, promising changes in the examination system, a new academic calendar and greater transparency, but stopping short of committing to either a CBI probe or cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, two of the protesters’ principal demands.
Addressing the State-level Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, Soren placed students and young people at the centre of his message, saying their aspirations and faith in the government were important to him. He said the government had decided to make changes in the existing system and gave an assurance that recruitment examinations conducted by bodies such as the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) would be made transparent.
“The youth of the State are very important to me as also their faith in us. We have decided to bring changes in the system. Transparent examination will be ensured,” Soren said.
The Chief Minister’s approach marks an attempt to widen the conversation beyond the immediate confrontation at the protest site. Rather than announcing a decision on the disputed JSSC-CGL examination or accepting the demand for an independent CBI investigation, Soren outlined a broader reform and consultation process in which students, parents and teachers would have a role.
‘Chhatron Ki Baat’ at the heart of outreach
Soren referred to the government’s newly launched “Chhatron Ki Baat – Chhatron Ke Sath” initiative, through which students have been invited to place their concerns and suggestions before the government.
He said improving the education and recruitment system could not be the responsibility of the government alone and emphasised the importance of students’ participation in creating a credible system. Suggestions from students, parents and teachers, he said, would be examined with experts and considered within existing rules and constitutional provisions.
“We will not indulge in a blame game but ensure justice,” Soren said, adding that the government was making changes to the system and would bring out an academic calendar while taking steps to improve transparency in examinations.
Soren’s wider message: Dialogue instead of confrontation
The Independence Day assurance followed a more direct appeal Soren made to protesting youth on August 9 at the Jharkhand Adivasi Mahotsav.
At that event, he had described dialogue and constitutional methods as the way forward, assuring young protesters that justice would be delivered transparently. He also urged them not to seek political patronage or allow their agitation to be politicised.
Soren had told the protesting youth that their concerns were also his concerns and said the government would not wait for students to come onto the streets before listening to them. He said the government would seek to understand what young people were thinking even while they were at home and would use different channels to hear them and build the system accordingly.
He had also assured the protesters that those found responsible for irregularities would face action and urged young people to approach the government directly rather than seek political support for their movement.
The latest Independence Day message therefore builds on a consistent line from the Chief Minister: justice, dialogue, systemic reform and transparency, rather than an immediate acceptance of the protesters’ specific demands.
What Soren has promised — and what remains unanswered
Soren’s stated roadmap now includes several elements:
- changes in the examination system;
- greater transparency in JPSC and JSSC examinations;
- an academic calendar;
- consultation with students, parents and teachers;
- expert examination of suggestions received through the student outreach programme;
- action against those responsible for examination irregularities;
- protection of the interests and aspirations of Jharkhand’s youth.
But crucially, he did not announce cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination or agree to the protesters’ demand for a CBI investigation in his Independence Day address.
That distinction is important because the students’ agitation has continued for three weeks, with the protesters seeking action over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations and specifically demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination.
Protest enters 22nd day
The student agitation entered its 22nd day on Saturday, keeping pressure on the government despite Soren’s repeated assurances of justice and dialogue.
Student leader Ravinder Paswan, meanwhile, said the protesters would observe Independence Day by focusing on the country and organising a Tiranga Yatra rather than raising their demands before the government on the occasion. Students and youth from across Jharkhand participated in the programme, he said.
Meanwhile, visuals emerged about police personnel not letting the hospitalised student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who continues to be on hunger strike, from venturing out to hoist the Tricolour.
