Jharkhand JPSC-JSSC Row Intensifies as BJP Demands CBI Probe and Withdrawal of Student Cases

A major political confrontation has intensified in Jharkhand over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a statewide campaign demanding an independent investigation and action against those responsible.

The BJP's four-day statewide agitation began on September 8 and is scheduled to continue through September 11 across all 24 districts. The party has organised demonstrations and programmes outside district offices, focusing on alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations and cases registered against protesting students.

The opposition party has demanded a CBI investigation into the allegations and called for the withdrawal of cases filed against students who participated in demonstrations. BJP leaders have argued that students should not face legal action for raising concerns about recruitment examinations.

In Dumka, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi led a BJP protest and demanded that cases against students be withdrawn. He also called for an investigation into recruitment-related irregularities and criticised the state government's handling of the controversy.

Former Chief Minister Raghubar Das also participated in the BJP's protest programme in Hazaribagh. Similar demonstrations were held in several other districts, making the recruitment controversy a major issue for the opposition party.

The BJP has accused the state government of failing to adequately address the concerns of students. Party leaders have demanded that people found responsible for irregularities be identified and prosecuted, while maintaining that a central investigation is necessary to establish accountability.

The ruling side, however, has rejected the BJP's political framing of the issue. Congress spokesperson Shyamal Kishore Singh said the alleged irregularities were already being investigated and argued that the BJP should not use students as part of political campaigning.

The controversy has now become part of Jharkhand's wider Political War (opens in a new tab), with the BJP attempting to turn student concerns into a major issue against the Hemant Soren-led government. Recruitment and government employment are particularly sensitive political subjects because thousands of young people depend on competitive examinations for career opportunities.