Jharkhand Exam Protest Student Leader Devendra Mahto Calls For Second Phase Demonstration For Leak Proof Recruitment System
A long drawn wave of youth anger in Jharkhand has reached a critical turning point as student leader Devendra Mahto formally called off his sixteen day hunger strike at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. His decision came right after state authorities announced a major policy reversal, scrapping the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level examination alongside all test procedures conducted through an outsourced agency. However, Mahto made it clear that while his fast has concluded, the battle for structural integrity in recruitment is far from over.
Addressing media persons and supporters shortly after breaking his fast with fruit juice in the presence of cabinet ministers, Mahto announced that student groups will soon launch the second phase of their movement. The new push will take place under the banner of the JPSC JSSC Abhiyarthi Reform Manch. He emphasized that the primary objective of this next chapter is to pressure the state setup until it establishes an absolute guarantee against paper leaks, back door entries, and corrupt practices in public hiring tests.
The student leadership argues that piecemeal cancellations and superficial inquiries are no longer enough to win back public trust. Mahto insisted that the government must establish a dedicated monitoring committee for administrative reform and mandate thorough multi level audits at every step of the testing process. He urged lawmakers to draft stringent legislation that imposes strict criminal accountability on private vendors, paper leak networks, and negligent officials who jeopardize the career prospects of millions of job seekers.
The political and administrative response from the state government has been fast paced. Chief Minister Hemant Soren acknowledged that standard operating procedures were breached and ordered a panel headed by senior administrative officer Amitabh Kaushal to recommend systemic overhauls. Simultaneously, investigative agencies have been tasked with probing recruitment exams handled by outsourced agencies dating back several years, with law enforcement making initial arrests tied to exam fraud networks.
Despite these official steps, anxiety remains high among youth across the state who have spent years preparing for competitive examinations. While some student contingents welcomed the exam cancellation as a historic victory born out of peaceful street protest, other factions continue to press for an independent investigation by central agencies. Mahto noted that young aspirants should not have to resort to hunger strikes and street battles simply to demand a fair exam, calling for systemic legislative protections that ensure future generations enter job selection processes with confidence.