Student protests over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations have intensified in Ranchi following clashes between demonstrators and police near the state Assembly. The BJP has called for a state-wide bandh in protest against the police action, while student organisations are preparing for another march.

Jharkhand BJP president Aditya Sahu said the bandh would begin at 8 am and continue until midnight. Essential services will remain outside the scope of the shutdown, according to the party.

Police Action During Assembly Protest

Clashes broke out during a protest organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch near the Jharkhand Assembly. Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathicharge to disperse demonstrators after authorities alleged that protesters breached multiple barricades.

Protesting students claimed that several demonstrators, including women, were injured during the police action. Ranchi City SP Paras Rana said four policemen were also injured after protesters allegedly resorted to stone pelting.

The incident has intensified political criticism of the state government, with opposition leaders demanding action over the handling of the student protest.

BJP Calls Jharkhand Bandh

BJP leaders have announced a state-wide shutdown to protest what they described as police atrocities against students.

Party leaders are supporting the demands of protesting job aspirants and have raised concerns over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Essential services are expected to remain exempt from the bandh.

ABVP Announces Student March

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has announced another student demonstration in Ranchi.

The organisation plans to hold a march from Tinkonia's Old Assembly Ground to the new Assembly building at 11:30 am. Students are demanding greater transparency in the recruitment examination process and action over alleged irregularities.

Security arrangements are expected to remain tight around the Assembly area as authorities prepare for the demonstration.

Hunger Strike Activist Hospitalised

Student activist Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, was admitted to a hospital in Ranchi after his health deteriorated.

Doctors reportedly described his condition as critical following a drastic fall in his blood sugar level.

His hospitalisation has added further pressure on the state government to address the concerns raised by students and recruitment aspirants.

Hemant Soren Calls for Examination Reforms

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has addressed students through a post on X, stressing the need to improve the examination system.

Soren said the government wants to make examinations more transparent, technology-enabled, secure and accountable, while emphasising the importance of student participation in the reform process.

The government is facing growing pressure from student groups and opposition parties to address allegations surrounding recruitment examinations.

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What Happens Next in Jharkhand?

The BJP bandh and the planned ABVP student march are expected to keep the examination controversy at the centre of political and public attention in Jharkhand.

Authorities will have to manage security around protest sites while responding to demands for transparency and reforms in recruitment examinations. Student groups are continuing to press for action over alleged irregularities and are seeking greater accountability in the examination process.