Ranchi/New Delhi: The political and administrative pressure on the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress government in Jharkhand intensified on Friday as the statewide agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations gathered momentum.
Even as one fasting student was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his health deteriorated, protests spilled onto the streets and into the Jharkhand Assembly, prompting the state government to finally open talks with student representatives after days of sustained demonstrations.
Student leader Rahul Kranti, who had been on an indefinite hunger strike since Tuesday night at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, was rushed to Ranchi Sadar Hospital after his condition turned critical.
Two other protesters were also hospitalised as continuous rainfall worsened conditions at the protest site.
State Health Minister Irfan Ansari visited the hospital and directed doctors to ensure proper treatment, while Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi appealed to the fasting students not to risk their lives and accused the Jharkhand government of allowing public confidence in the state’s recruitment system to erode.
Later on Friday evening, a 10-member student delegation reached the state guest house for talks with a four-member Ministerial committee constituted by the state government, with senior administrative and police officials also participating in the discussions.
The agitation witnessed another flashpoint when black ink was thrown at All India Students’ Association President Neha Bora during a student march in Ranchi.
Police detained the accused, who reportedly claimed ideological differences as the reason behind his act.
The incident triggered a political blame game, even as several aspirants insisted that the movement should remain independent and not be overshadowed by political organisations.
Inside the Jharkhand Assembly, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators staged noisy protests demanding cancellation of allegedly tainted examinations and a High Court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
The state government rejected the demand, maintaining that investigations were already underway and accusing the Opposition of disrupting legislative business.
Meanwhile, NDA leaders in Delhi accused the Congress of adopting a selective approach towards student protests.
Union Minister Chirag Paswan and several BJP leaders questioned why Congress leaders had remained largely silent while being part of the ruling JMM-Congress coalition government in Jharkhand, only expressing concern after the agitation gained national attention.
(IANS)
