On Day 22, Jharkhand Protesters March With Tiranga, CM Soren Promises: 'Hard Work Won't Be Left At Mafia's Mercy'

Students in Jharkhand's Ranchi, who have been protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, on Saturday took out a 'Tiranga Yatra', marking India's 80th Independence Day on the 22nd day of their agitation. Chief Minister Hemant Soren, meanwhile, sought to reassure the agitating aspirants, promising that their hard work would not be left "at the mercy of the paper leak mafia, corruption or irregularities" and that ample employment opportunities would be made available through the state's recruitment agencies.

Jharkhand Protesters Take Out Tiranga Yatra

Thousands of job aspirants marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, tricolour in hand, raising slogans of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'. The protesters under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch banner have been demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several tests and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand into the alleged irregularities.

A student participating in the rally on a wheelchair, said, "Entire country is celebrating Tiranga Diwas, while we are still sitting in the protest and the government is not ready to fulfill our demands..."

Devendra Mahto 'Stopped From Attending Tiranga Yatra

The march came even as Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Mahto, on a 14-day fast, alleged that police prevented him from leaving Sadar Hospital to join the protesters, with videos of him scuffling with security personnel going viral on social media.

Sharing videos on his social media platform on X, he alleged that police tried to forcibly prevent him from leaving the hospital and also assaulted some of his supporters. "For several days now, I have been sitting on a hunger strike. Today, the police tried to push and forcibly stop me. They also assaulted my fellow companions who were present with me," he said.

Hard Work of Job Aspirants Won't Be Left At Mercy of Paper Leak Mafia: CM Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday said the hard work of job aspirants would not be left at the mercy of the paper leak mafia, corruption or irregularities, and huge employment opportunities would be made available to them through the recruitment agencies of the state.

"Several questions have been raised recently about recruitment examinations. When doubts arise about the examination system, it is not just a single exam that is affected; the trust of an entire generation is shaken. I want to assure every student in Jharkhand that their hard work will not be left at the mercy of any mafia, corrupt system, or irregularity," CM Soren said.

"This is a serious challenge facing the entire nation. However, I also want to state clearly that what has happened in other states does not diminish Jharkhand's responsibility," he said.

Soren said investigations into any alleged irregularities would be conducted impartially and warned that anyone found guilty would face strict legal action, irrespective of their influence or position. At the same time, he said no individual would be declared guilty without evidence. "Merely apprehending the guilty is not the solution," Soren said.

(With inputs from agencies)