Jharkhand government holds talks with student protesters in Ranchi; meeting inconclusive

Published 7 August 2026 · politics

A delegation of the Jharkhand Government comprising Ministers on Friday (August 7, 2026) held talks for the first time in State capital Ranchi with student

A delegation of the Jharkhand Government comprising Ministers on Friday (August 7, 2026) held talks for the first time in State capital Ranchi with student protesters demanding an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged irregularities in competitive exams for government jobs. The students’ protest under the JPSS-JSCC Reform Manch entered the 14th day. The two hour-long meeting, though, ended without any agreement with the students firm on continuing their protests. The five-member committee consisting of Ministers Sudivya Kumar, Chamra Linda, Dipika Pandey Singh, Sanjay Singh and Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh IAS, took part in the meeting for discussions with a 10-member team of students at Morabadi state guest house. After the meeting, student leader Ravindra Paswan said: “It was the first round of meeting with the government and the government listened to our demands.

However, we could not reach any conclusion regarding our key demands. Therefore, the protest will continue for the time being.” On the other hand, Education Minister Sudivya Kumar said, “The talks with the students took place in a positive atmosphere. All their points were heard and understood seriously, and the government will consider their demands before deciding on the next course of action.” Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Hemant Soren told media persons that the government was ready for talks concerning the demands of the protesting students as hundreds have gathered at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium over the last two weeks. “I have said before that my government is committed to talk to the students and moving forward with concrete and practical solutions to the problems faced by students. Along with my young colleagues in Ranchi, the suggestions from youth and students living in various districts of the State are equally important,” Mr. Soren said.

He asserted that his government will gather opinions and suggestions from students in all districts, so that the solutions are comprehensive and inclusive. “We will soon collect suggestions from students, academics, and policymakers across the State and the country, and take concrete steps in a time-bound manner towards necessary reforms and positive changes,” he added. Students have raised alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Combined Civil Services Examination, and the Jharkhand General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examination, which is also known as Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) exam. During a protest march to the Jharkhand Assembly earlier in the day, a man splashed ink at All India Students’ Association (AISA) president Neha Bora. Later, he was detained by the police. The incident occurred near Birsa Munda Chowk as the protesters led by student organisations AISA and AISF were marching towards the Assembly.