RANCHI, August 10, 2026: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has appealed to students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations to resolve their concerns through dialogue, assuring them that their demands will be considered with “utmost seriousness and sensitivity.”
Soren’s appeal came hours after Jharkhand Police used lathicharge and tear gas shells to disperse students who were marching towards the state Assembly as part of their Vidhan Sabha gherao protest in Ranchi.
Government Accepts Several Demands
The Jharkhand government has accepted several demands raised by the protesting students, including the cancellation of three JPSC examinations.
A CID investigation is also underway into the alleged irregularities in the recruitment examinations.
However, the protesting students have rejected the CID probe and are continuing to demand a CBI investigation.
While Soren said that his government had “heard” the students and would take their concerns seriously, he did not announce any decision on the demand for a CBI probe, which remains a key point of contention.
Soren Defends Police Action
In a lengthy post on X, Soren said the administration and police handled the student movement with “restraint, sensitivity, and complete responsibility.”
He also accused the Opposition of attempting to create tension and mislead students for political gains.
The Chief Minister appealed to students not to fall for what he described as a political narrative and urged them to resolve their concerns through dialogue.
Government Wants Recruitment System Reformed
Soren said his government wants to make the state’s examination system more transparent, technology-enabled, secure and accountable.
He stressed that the government wants Jharkhand to set an example in finding solutions to problems rather than merely discussing them.
“Let us resolve this issue together through dialogue and trust,” Soren said in his appeal to the protesting students.
Rahul Gandhi Condemns Police Action
Soren’s statement came after Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action against the protesting students.
Despite the Congress being part of the ruling alliance with Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Gandhi condemned the use of force and urged the state government to address the students’ concerns immediately.
For now, the CBI probe remains the major unresolved demand, with protesting students indicating that their agitation will continue until the government agrees to their demand.
