Jharkhand CGL exam row: Police disperse protesters, student leader detained

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Ranchi, Dec 16 (IANS) Tensions flared up in Ranchi as students protesting against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination were dispersed by police near the JSSC office. The demonstration, organised by student groups including the Jharkhand Loktantrik Kranti Morcha (JLKM), wanted to gherao the JSSC office over claims of rigging in the CGL exam.

In anticipation of the protests, the state police had put in place tight security measures at key locations, including Raj Bhavan, the Chief Minister’s Residence, and the Secretariat.

Several barricades were set up in the area and a large number of police personnel were deployed around the JSSC premises as well, effectively turning it into a high-security zone.

Around 1.30 P.M. on Monday, a group of students assembled at Namkum Sadabahar Chowk in Ranchi and attempted to march toward the JSSC’s office. However, they were stopped by police, who resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato and one associate were detained during the police action.

Despite the ongoing protests, the JSSC has gone ahead with the document verification process for candidates shortlisted in the CGL exam results. Starting Monday, the verification of certificates for 2,145 successful candidates is expected to conclude by December 20, after which the final list of selected candidates for various government positions will be released.

The CGL examination, held on September 21-22 across 823 centres in Jharkhand, was conducted to fill approximately 2,000 vacancies in state government departments.

Over 3.04 lakh candidates appeared for the test. However, allegations of paper leaks and the inclusion of repeated questions from previously cancelled exams sparked widespread outrage. Students have staged protests in multiple cities, including Ranchi and Hazaribagh, to demand justice.

On December 10, students in Hazaribagh blocked the highway for nearly four hours, prompting a police lathi-charge to clear the demonstration. The JSSC had earlier formed a committee to investigate the allegations, which later dismissed claims of irregularities.

Despite this, Chief Minister Hemant Soren recently announced that the allegations would now be probed by the CID.

–IANS

skp/rad

Related Posts

Assam CM attends presentation on Gelephu Mindfulness City Project in Bhutan

Guwahati, Dec 19 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday attended an insightful presentation on the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project during his four-day visit to Bhutan.

The presentation provided valuable insights into the objectives and framework of the project.

Representatives from Druk Holding and Investments Limited highlighted their ongoing initiatives aimed at fostering environmental sustainability alongside economic development.

The presentation also showcased Bhutan’s energy projects, focusing on their potential to fortify the shared interests of Assam and Bhutan.

CM Sarma invited the participating dignitaries and entrepreneurs to attend the upcoming investor summit –‘Advantage Assam’, which is dedicated to infrastructure and investment opportunities.

Following the presentation, CM Sarma attended a lunch hosted by Lotay Tshering, Governor of the Gelephu Mindfulness City Project.

Later, the Chief Minister, accompanied by his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma, met with the revered spiritual leader Sadhguru at the India House in Thimphu. They engaged in a discussion on various spiritual matters, which CM Sarma described as a profoundly enriching experience.

Bhutan’s Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and his wife Tashi Doma, as well as India’s Ambassador to Bhutan, Sudhakar Dalela, and his wife Namrata Dalela, were also present during the discussion.

The CM also held discussions with renowned educationist Arun Kapur, who has rendered more than four decades of exemplary service in the education sector.

He also paid a visit to the historic Simtokha Dzong, an iconic spiritual and cultural landmark of Bhutan, where he offered prayers and sought blessings for peace and prosperity.

CM Sarma, on Tuesday, met Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and discussed strengthening the historical ties between Assam and Bhutan and advancing collaborative efforts between the two regions.

The discussion also focussed on fostering Bhutan’s development, enhancing the welfare of its people, and promoting broader regional economic development.

In an X post, the Assam CM said, “Cherished moments with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema | Tashichhodzong.”

–IANS

tdr/khz

Savarkar’s great-grandson counters Rahul Gandhi on who actually ‘compromised’

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) Ranjit Savarkar, the great-grandson of ‘Veer’ Savarkar, on Sunday, shared his views regarding the mention of freedom fighter and nationalist Veer Savarkar by Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha. He also opened up on “the world’s greatest honey trap.”

Given that Rahul Gandhi has been lately repeatedly making personal comments on Savarkar, Ranjit Savarkar said that he does it to polarise Muslim votes as Savarkar was a pioneer of Hindutva. “He wants to prove that Savarkar was a Manuvadi. He thinks if he talks bad about Savarkar, Muslims will vote for him,” he said, adding “I think the comments and false narratives will continue.”

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha had said in the House on Saturday, “When you speak about defending the Constitution, you are ridiculing Savarkar, you are abusing Savarkar, you are defaming Savarkar.”

Speaking about who struck a deal with the British, Savarkar or Nehru, he maintained that it was Nehru who compromised for power and to keep relations cordial with Britain, before recounting the course of events on the eve of Independence. “It’s about being an agent [of the British]” he said, adding that Nehru betrayed the nation for power.

Explaining further, he pointed to letters in the book ‘Daughter of Empire: My Life as a Mountbatten’, written by Lord Mountbatten’s daughter Pamela Hicks. The book contains letters exchanged between her mother Lady Mountbatten and Nehru for 11 to 12 years after Independence.

He mentioned that Mountbatten retained a position in India as its first Governor General (while Jinnah became the Governor General of the freshly carved Pakistan). In the letters to Lady Mountbatten, “only the first and the last paragraphs used to be romantic, the rest was Nehru’s dairy,” he said.

He called this exercise “the world’s greatest honey trap operation – making the Prime Minister your agent for 12 years as all important information was going to Lady Mountbatten.”

The Chairman of Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak, Ranjit Savarkar was recently accused of deeming Mahatma Gandhi a casteist.

He explained that Gandhi advocated the caste system, that one must adhere to the occupation of their respective caste, and he interpreted this as a denial of opportunities to an individual outside their caste-based occupation. “The Constitution gives us the right to choose our occupation,” he told IANS.

Commenting whether Ambedkar, Gandhi and Savarkar are relevant in today’s politics, he maintained that Ambedkar and Savarkar have similar thoughts and are “most relevant” today, however, “Gandhi’s thoughts, today, are most irrelevant,” he concluded.

–IANS

/kvd