Jharkhand Hunger Strike Ends as State Cancels Controversial Exams


Devendra Nath Mahto the face of Jharkhand’s student protests ended his 16‑day fast after state ministers confirmed the cancellation of a disputed recruitment exam and announced a criminal investigation into alleged malpractices.


The fast began on July 25 when students and job seekers alleged irregularities in government hiring tests, claiming leaked question papers and uneven numbers of correct answers that suggested manipulation. Their protests quickly spread, mirroring nationwide student movement against exam tampering that led to the resignation of Delhi’s education minister.


The Jharkhand government, headed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, agreed to cancel the pending Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission‑Combined Graduate Level (JSSC‑CGL) exam and launch an inquiry by the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Arrests of several officials, including the chief of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission, followed.


Devendra Nath Mahto during hunger strike

Although the cancellation lifted a major grievance, activists insist that a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into all recruitment exams since 2014 is necessary before they can say the protests are over. Student activist Ravindra Paswan confirmed that demonstrations will continue until the CBI investigation is announced.


The government’s decision to cancel the exam has drawn mixed reactions; successful candidates who had already secured jobs reportedly feel aggrieved by the reversal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opposition party BJP remains supportive of the student movement.


Students sit‑in protest in Jharkhand

The chief minister also announced a comprehensive review of recruitment protocols used by private agencies like TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), which had secured recent contracts for exam administration. The state will set up a committee to recommend reforms in the examination system, aiming to restore public confidence in the hiring process.


While celebrations erupted in Ranchi’s stadium following the announcement, protests will likely persist until a CBI investigation is formalized, underscoring the continued struggle for transparent and fair recruitment practices across India.