Jharkhand Assembly's Monsoon Session Marred by Political Turmoil Over JPSC and JSSC Examination Controversy

Political activity intensified both inside and outside the Jharkhand Assembly on the opening day of the Monsoon Session over the JPSC and JSSC examination controversy.The State Government has initiated efforts to break the deadlock. On the directions of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, a high-level committee comprising four ministers has been constituted to hold talks with the agitating students. In response, the protesting students, camping at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, have announced an eight-member delegation to represent them during the discussions with the ministers.Meanwhile, the issue dominated the political discourse both inside and outside the Jharkhand Assembly today. Led by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, BJP and NDA legislators staged a protest demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities. BJP Chief Whip Naveen Jaiswal urged the Chief Minister to recommend a CBI probe and resign on moral grounds. Newly elected Dumri MLA Jairam Mahato also demanded cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination, a comprehensive inquiry into the JSSC-CGL examination, and a high-level investigation into the functioning of the blacklisted examination agency, TDPL. He said the students would consider suspending their agitation only after concrete action on these demands. On the other hand, Minister Sudivya Kumar and Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said the government was fully sensitive to the concerns of the youth. They said the proposed dialogue with the students would be conducted in a transparent manner and that the demand for a CBI inquiry would also be considered in accordance with the students’ representations.