Students in Jharkhand have continued their protests against alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations, with demonstrations entering their 18th day. The agitation, which began on July 25, has seen participants demanding transparency in the recruitment process and reforms in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Subordinate Service Commission (JSSC) (thehindu.com). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has observed a statewide bandh, or shutdown, in support of the protests, while the All Bharatiya Students Union (ABVP) has planned a march to the state assembly (thehindubusinessline.com).
During the protests, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto lost consciousness and was hospitalized after collapsing during a march toward the Jharkhand assembly. This incident highlights the intensity of the demonstrations, which have seen students also engaging in hunger strikes. The protests in Ranchi, the capital of a state with over 33 million people, began on July 29, following a similar youth-led movement in New Delhi that led to the resignation of the national education minister (dawn.com).
