Student protests force Jharkhand to cancel exams, but CBI probe still disputed

Patna, August 18 – A sustained student strike in Jharkhand over alleged examination paper leaks culminated in the state’s decision to cancel the contested assessments. The outcome prompted a flurry of statements from Bihar’s political arena, many of which emphasized the need for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry.

Minister Ramkripal Yadav highlighted that the Jharkhand administration had to acknowledge its recruitment missteps, which were the catalyst for the unrest. He lauded the decision to halt the exams but warned that a CBI investigation was essential to clarify the facts.

BJP chief Sanjay Sarawagi congratulated the protesters while warning that organized criminal groups continued to exploit the leak situation. He asked why the CBI was being sidelined and called for an immediate probe to protect students' futures.

RP Singh, another BJP leader, said the demand for a CBI probe was entirely justified. He distinguished the cancellation of the exams from the requirement to uncover the individuals behind the fraud, accusing the Jharkhand chief minister of evading scrutiny.

Karan Bhushan Singh, a BJP parliamentarian, described the cancellation as a governmental compulsion and a win for the students, noting the prolonged agitation as a sign of systemic failure. He reiterated the party’s zero‑tolerance stance on paper leaks and urged a CBI investigation.

Priyanka Kakkar of the Aam Aadmi Party emphasized the peaceful nature of the student movement and praised the government's concession, pledging continued support for the learners.

Socialist leader Ashutosh Varma reminded listeners that earlier exams, including the Teacher Development Programme and other backlog tests, had already been scrapped. He argued that any company black‑listed for exam printing should not be allowed to resume until it clears its record, underscoring the call for an independent probe.