Student Protest Gains Momentum: Cockroach Janta Party Joins Jharkhand Exam Agitation

Students protest in Ranchi

IIE DIGITAL: The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) has extended its support to students protesting alleged irregularities in multiple recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, even as a student leader launched an indefinite hunger strike demanding an independent investigation into the recruitment process.

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke announced the party's support after interacting with student leaders through a video call on Sunday night. In a social media post, Dipke said the party stood firmly with the agitating students and backed their demands for a fair and transparent recruitment process.

The protest intensified after student leader Devendra Nath Mahto began an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday night. Mahto is seeking investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the alleged irregularities in the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination, the JSSC-CGL recruitment test and other competitive examinations.

Before beginning his fast, Mahto accused both the Centre and the Jharkhand government of failing to address the concerns raised by students, stating that the alleged inaction had deeply affected the morale of job aspirants. He said the hunger strike was aimed at keeping the movement alive and ensuring justice for thousands of candidates.

In a social media statement, Mahto said the ongoing agitation began on July 2 following allegations of irregularities in the results of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination. He noted that students have been carrying out a continuous day-and-night 'Satyagraha' since then.

"Our bodies may grow weak, but our determination to secure justice for students will not weaken," Mahto said, adding that the agitation would continue until transparency, fairness and accountability were ensured in the recruitment process.

The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination and a comprehensive investigation into all examinations conducted by the recruitment agency.

The movement has continued to gain momentum across the state. On Saturday evening, thousands of students participated in a torchlight march in Ranchi, reiterating their demand for an impartial probe into the alleged examination irregularities. The indefinite sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium has been underway since July 29, with the protesters also receiving support from people across the country through online food deliveries and solidarity campaigns on social media.