Jharkhand Students Protest Police Scuffle Near CM Residence

Members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with police on August 8 near the residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Police stopped the ABVP members, who were marching from Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, to prevent any untoward incidents, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Ajay Aryan. The protest, which has continued for 15 days, involves students demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination due to alleged paper leaks. Government talks with multiple student groups failed to resolve the deadlock.

Jharkhand minister Sanjay Prasad Yadav stated on August 8 that the students' demands were justified and that their grievances would be addressed. The government also released an email ID for communication. Earlier, on August 7, Chief Minister Hemant Soren invited student aspirants to dialogue, expressing the government's willingness to engage. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of the examination and an investigation into alleged paper leaks.

The ABVP members' scuffle with police occurred as the broader student protest entered its second week. The government has assured quick decisions regarding the students' issues. Minister Yadav said the government would take up the students' issues with the Chief Minister. The protesters' demands center on the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC Civil Services Examination. Chief Minister Soren invited students for dialogue amid the ongoing protest in Ranchi. Further discussions are expected between the government and student representatives.