Activist Devendra Mahto and several fellow student protesters in Ranchi have ended their indefinite hunger strike after the Jharkhand government agreed to cancel the results of all competitive recruitment examinations conducted by testing agency TDPL since 2014. The move follows weeks of growing demonstrations over alleged paper leaks and systemic irregularities, particularly surrounding the JSSC-CGL exams. While many celebrated the government's decision, a dissenting faction of student leaders confirmed they would maintain their agitation until their secondary demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter is granted.
Announcing the decision on the 16th day of the fast, Chief Minister Hemant Soren confirmed that all recruitments, active appointment lists, and published results linked to TDPL would be formally annulled. Additionally, Soren directed the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) to launch a thorough inquiry into every examination managed by the agency over the past decade. Breaking his fast alongside fellow leaders Umme Habiba and Rahul Kranti at Sadar Hospital, Mahto praised the government for taking a historic step, crediting state ministers Irfan Ansari and Dipika Pandey, as well as MLA Jairam Mahato, for facilitating the resolution.
Despite the administration's sweeping concessions, student representatives remain divided over the scope of the investigation. While student leader Ravindra Paswan commended the government for acting in the students' best interests, others, including Piyush Kumar, labelled the cancellation merely a preliminary step, insisting that an independent CBI probe remains essential to ensure full accountability. The protest movement, which began on July 25 at Ranchi’s Bapu Batika ground, also drew national attention, earning praise from climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who commended both the student leaders for their perseverance and the Chief Minister for addressing their grievances.
Also read: Students triumph, J’khand govt scraps all exams conducted by TDPL
Follow us
