New Delhi: Now, it is a serious challenge for Jharkhand Government to handle the student agitation. The agitation by students against alleged irregularities in government recruitment examinations has gone on for 17 days and now students are marching to Jharkhand Assembly on August 10.
Now comes the big question whether the student protest of Jharkhand will be able to get its demands or will it go on as the mange-longstanding student protest which is going on in the recent NEET and CJP-led protest in Uttar Pradesh.
The answer is not yet determined. The latest developments, however, indicate the anti-government protest movement won’t be quickly dismissed.
Students protesting under a committee for JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch accuse of irregularities in recruitment exams are asking for action. Some of their demands are cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and an enquiry into the alleged irregularities that were found by an independent body. The protesters have also asked the CBI or the committee of the retired High Court judges from outside the state of Jharkhand to probe the matter.
On the other hand, the Jharkhand government has attempted to start a dialogue with the protesting students. Issuing a nod to the students, the government has confirmed the acceptance and response to nearly 98% of the demands in a long series of negotiations. The authority has also suggested canceling three JPSC exams.
Although this is the question that can never be answered. Protesters don’t agree with the government’s assertion. Just three of the 13 exams that they sought to cancel have really been discontinued, they argue. Due to this disparity, mutual trust is still weak. The damper turned on Monday when students were preparing to march towards Vidhan Sabha. Increased security was put in place around the Assembly, restrictions were planned on a 750-metre zone around the building and barricades were set up.
Will Jharkhand Protest Win?
It’s too soon to declare a victory for students at this point. Some concessions have already been made by the government, so we can say this protest surely has been a pressure.
However, the most significant demands, particularly related to examination cancellations and a separate investigation, are still significant. There may be further action if there is no clear written agreement between both parties.
That’s another thing that sets this protest apart from the recent NEET agitation led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The NEET protest turned away as a nationwide protest and went for some weeks whereas the Jharkhand agitation is limited to Jharkhand recruitment exams and jobs as well.
CJP has also given support to the Jharkhand students but the protest leaders have emphasized that the protest is of the students and CJP has only provided leadership to it.
What Happens Next?
The next few days could be crucial. Only when the Jharkhand government provides a definite response to the other demands can the protest gradually be put to an end.
However, the governorate and students’ differences over exam boycotts and an independent investigation may lead to a more extended and intense agitation.
The Jharkhand student protest has now been out for attention, but it has not comprehensively succeeded. It may be a turning point for the march that is happening in the Assembly on 10 August. It will now see whether the protest becomes a continuation or it turns out to be a long battle that will be protracted at the negotiating table.
