NEW DELHI: Students protesting in Jharkhand over the irregularities in the government-job recruitment process have grown livid over the state dispensation’s inability to address the issue swiftly and efficiently.One of the several students on hunger strike lashed out at chief minister Hemant Soren for not visiting the protest site and called the JMM supremo “unfit to hold” the hightest office in the state, demanding his resignation.Gearing up for assembly “gherao” on August 10 in the backdrop of the ineffective redressal, a protester said: “We remain steadfast until the government accepts our demands. We now demand the chief minister’s resignation, as he is unfit for the office he holds. It has been so long since he returned from Bengaluru, yet he has taken no cognisance of the situation.”“My health is deteriorating. I feel dizzy if I try to stand up. I try to speak as little as possible… Various false rumours are being spread claiming that Devendra Nath Mahato called off his hunger strike… Sonam Wangchuk urged him to at least drink some water. He only drank water because his lips were parched… I want to tell everyone that Devendra Nath has not called off the strike,” the same protester told news agency ANI.The competitive exam aspirants on Thursday intensified their agitation by continuing a hunger strike over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC),and JSSC CGL recruitment tests.Protesting aspirant Rahul Kranti, told ANI that despite the students’ readiness for talks, the state government appears unresponsive to their demands.Kranti highlighted that the fast has entered its third day, noting that chief minister Hemant Soren has not visited the spot to inquire about the protesting students’ well-being, even as a gesture of moral support.“We are ready for talks. However, judging by the government’s actions and what we are hearing through the media, it still does not appear to be taking a positive approach toward our demands. The government continues to say that it is investigating the matter through its own agencies. If that is the case, what is the objection to ordering a CBI inquiry?” Kranti asked.Kranti said the students on strike have grown weaker and the health has been steadily deteriorating.“Initially, we wanted the government’s delegation to come to the protest site. However, since there has been no positive response from the government on that front, we have decided to send our own delegation for the discussions…We have been on a hunger strike for the past three days. Our health is steadily deteriorating, and we are growing weaker with each passing day. The gherao of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled for the 10th. So far, the Honorable chief minister has not even come to inquire about our well-being, not even as a gesture of moral support,” Rahul Kranti told ANI.Amid intensifying protests over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), JSSC CGL and other recruitment examinations, agitating students today announced a “Vidhan Sabha Gherao” on August 10 if their demands are not met.Protester Radhe Kumar said the decision to gherao the assembly was taken after the government initiated contact with the agitating students.Earlier on Wednesday, CM Hemant Soren said the state government was treating allegations of irregularities in recruitment examinations with “utmost seriousness and sensitivity,” assuring students that justice would be delivered within the constitutional and legal framework.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Soren’s remarks marked his first public response since students launched protests over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in recruitment examinations.“I cannot tear open my chest to show how serious we are, but the government is taking this matter very seriously. This government has eyes, ears and sensitivity. Whatever is appropriate and in the interest of students, the state government will decide accordingly,” he added.The chief minister said investigations into the allegations were under way and that the government would take a decision after receiving reports from the agencies probing the matter.
