Recruitment Crisis Deepens as Jharkhand Protest Gains Momentum

The protest by government job aspirants in Jharkhand is currently in a crucial stage as seven aspirants are conducting an indefinite hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Starting from complaints about irregularities in recruitment exams, the protest has now become a statewide agitation for transparency and accountability in the recruitment and education system of Jharkhand.

Among the protestors is 30-year-old Brahmanand Kumar Mahato, Ramgarh resident, who is conducting the hunger strike for four days. "If this is what it takes to get justice, I am prepared to do this," he was quoted as saying as doctors were monitoring his health during the protest.

Reasons Behind the Protest?

The protest was sparked off following the declaration of the preliminary results of the 14th Combined Civil Services Exam conducted by Jharkhand Public Service Commission. Out of the total number of around 3.5 lakh candidates appearing in the exam, 2,204 candidates were shortlisted for the main examination against the total of only 103 vacancies. The allegation of leaking the paper followed the protest.

The movement by JSSC-JPSC Bhrashtachar Mukht Abhiyan has taken the form of statewide agitation as it has gone beyond the initial gathering in June and has won support from students, civil society organizations and political parties.

Delays in Appointment Have Spawned Anger

Most of the protestors are of the opinion that the current agitation has stemmed from something much deeper than the allegations. Candidates who have cleared the recruitment examination in earlier years are demanding their right to join government jobs for years.

One such person who has qualified in the JSSC Graduate Trained Teacher (TGT) Examination is Mohammad Shamsher Alam, whose name appears on the list of candidates for appointment after nearly a decade. Others like Anandi Kumari have exceeded the upper age limit for government recruitments in future.

Government Makes Commitments; Protesters Want Changes

The Hemant Soren government has taken into custody 16 individuals in connection with the said leakage of papers. District authorities have met protesters on Wednesday and invited a delegation for talks with the Chief Minister. The next day, there will be a meeting between the protesting leaders and the state government.

Opposition leader Babulal Marandi has called for cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and a CBI inquiry whereas Chief Minister Hemant Soren says that proper probe is going on and that culprits will face the brunt of the law.

In spite of the commitment by the government, protesters are continuing their protests until the announcement of some concrete changes in the recruitment system and hence the recruitment problem is one of the toughest political problems that the Jharkhand government faces today.