JPSC-JSSC row: BJP launches four-day statewide stir, seeks CBI probe
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK RANCHI, September 8: The BJP on Tuesday launched a four-day statewide agitation against alleged irregularities and corruption in…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
RANCHI, September 8: The BJP on Tuesday launched a four-day statewide agitation against alleged irregularities and corruption in JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations, with party leaders and workers staging a protest outside the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner’s office and demanding a CBI probe into the recruitment-related controversies.
The agitation, scheduled from September 8 to 11, is being held across the state. The BJP has planned protests and demonstrations outside the offices of Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in six districts each day.
In Ranchi, senior BJP leaders, including state president Aditya Sahu, former MP Deepak Prakash, organisation general secretary Karmveer Singh, MLA CP Singh and Hatia MLA Navin Jaiswal, joined the demonstration.
Security was tightened around the Ranchi district administration offices, with additional police deployment and water cannons kept ready in view of the protest.
BJP demands CBI probe into JPSC-JSSC examinations
Addressing protesters, Aditya Sahu accused the state government of failing to protect the interests of young job aspirants.
He alleged that the government had promised employment opportunities for five lakh youths every year but that candidates were instead facing alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Sahu said students had staged a prolonged and peaceful protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium against alleged irregularities but claimed that the government had failed to take concrete action on their demands.
He demanded a CBI investigation into the JPSC-JSSC controversy, saying a CID probe would not be sufficient.
“If the state government has even a little morality left, it should order a CBI investigation instead of merely assuring students of a CID probe,” Sahu said.
He also demanded the withdrawal of cases registered against students who participated in the protests.
‘Students being intimidated’, alleges Sahu
Sahu further accused the government of using the police to intimidate protesting students.
He alleged that students from different districts were being identified and that preparations were being made to send them to jail.
The BJP leader claimed that cases had been registered against students who were exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.
He demanded that what he described as “false cases” against students and youths be withdrawn immediately, warning that the BJP would intensify its agitation if the government failed to act.
Regional language issue also raised
The BJP state president also raised the issue of Khortha and Magahi in recruitment examinations.
He claimed that the removal of the regional languages from examinations had caused resentment among aspirants and demanded that the government clarify its position on the matter.
Deepak Prakash targets recruitment process
Former BJP state president Deepak Prakash, who also participated in the Ranchi protest, said young people from economically weaker families spend years preparing for competitive examinations with the hope of securing government jobs.
He alleged that candidates sometimes discover after appearing for examinations that their efforts have been rendered futile because of irregularities in the recruitment process.
Prakash accused those allegedly involved in selling examination seats of playing with the future of students and demanded action against those responsible.
He also criticised the cases registered against protesting students, alleging that the government was targeting those raising their voices rather than those responsible for the alleged irregularities.
‘Movement will continue till CBI probe’
Ranchi Deputy Mayor Neeraj Kumar said the BJP’s agitation would continue from the streets to the Assembly until its demand for a CBI investigation was accepted.
BJP leaders said the party was raising the issue in support of students and young job aspirants and would continue its statewide campaign until the government addressed their demands.
The BJP has listed three principal demands: withdrawal of cases against protesting students, arrest of those found responsible for alleged examination-related corruption and a CBI probe into the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations.
Four-day statewide programme
Under the BJP’s programme, senior state leaders have been assigned to different districts for the four-day agitation.
State president Aditya Sahu participated in the Ranchi protest, while Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi joined the agitation in Dumka. Former chief minister Madhu Koda was assigned to Jamshedpur, while Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth was scheduled to participate in the protest in Garhwa.
The protests come amid continuing political and student pressure over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations.
The allegations made by BJP leaders regarding examination irregularities, corruption and police action against students are political claims and have been attributed to them. They should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed through an official investigation or competent authority.
