Daijiworld Media Network - Ranchi
Ranchi, Aug 17: The Jharkhand government has initiated efforts to resolve the ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations through dialogue, with Chief Minister Hemant Soren agreeing to hold talks with the protesting students in Ranchi.
The protesting students have been invited for discussions on Monday, August 17, at 2 pm. They have also been given the option to attend the meeting along with their legal advisers. The proposal was conveyed to the students by the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order).
The move came a day after students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations burnt effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, accusing the JMM-Congress alliance of failing to take concrete action on their demands.
The agitation entered its 23rd day on Sunday. The protesting students took out a torchlight march from the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, where they burnt the effigies.
The protesters accused the ruling alliance of playing politics over their demands and announced plans to gherao the Chief Minister's residence on August 20. They also demanded Soren's resignation.
On Saturday, the students had demanded that the Congress withdraw support from the ruling coalition, alleging that the Chief Minister was not listening to their grievances.
Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Sunday said Soren should accept the demands of the agitating students.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, a prominent students' body leading the agitation, has several key demands. These include cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, a CBI probe into all recruitment examinations, publication of investigation reports and strict action against those found guilty.
The students are also demanding the revocation of the suspension of Finance Department section officer and alleged whistleblower Santosh Kumar Mastana. They have sought withdrawal of cases registered against him.
During his Independence Day address, Soren acknowledged that questions surrounding recruitment examinations had shaken the trust of an entire generation of job aspirants.
The Chief Minister assured the students that investigations into alleged irregularities would be conducted impartially and that anyone found guilty would face strict legal action, irrespective of their influence or position.
The government's decision to hold direct talks with the protesters is expected to provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss the students' demands and explore a way to end the prolonged agitation.