Government Faces Growing Pressure Over PSC Exam Cancellation and Hunger Strikes

The cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand PSC civil service examination has sparked a prolonged student movement in Ranchi. Six activists have been on a hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, demanding an independent investigation into the alleged scandals surrounding the upcoming recruitment tests.

Health concerns escalated when one of the strikers, Rahul Kranti, collapsed and was transferred by ambulance to Sadar Hospital for emergency treatment. The incident has intensified public scrutiny of the state’s response, as Chief Minister Hemant Soren has not yet extended an invitation for talks.

Political opposition, including members of the NDA, staged a demonstration outside the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, chanting slogans that accused the government of “selling jobs” and called for immediate redress of the students’ grievances.

Tribal community representatives arrived with traditional music, reinforcing the message that the protest represents the aspirations of a larger youth demographic rather than an isolated grievance.

The students maintain that the core issue is trust in the recruitment system. They have proposed that the probe be carried out by the Central Bureau of Investigation or an independent committee of retired high‑court judges from outside Jharkhand.