India

BJP Kicks Off Four-Day Protest in Jharkhand Over Recruitment Exam Scandal, Demands CBI Probe

By Amit Bhelari

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jharkhand began a four-day statewide agitation on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, calling for the withdrawal of police cases filed against students who had protested alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations. State BJP President Aditya Sahu, Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi, and former Chief Minister Raghubar Das joined the demonstrations, which included gherao actions at the offices of Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) across five districts, including the state capital, Ranchi, on the first day of the campaign. In Ranchi, Sahu led BJP workers in surrounding the Deputy Commissioner’s office, demanding action over alleged malpractice in exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). The protesters called for the arrest of those responsible for the irregularities, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, and the dropping of cases filed against student demonstrators. The protest, which started at the District School ground in Ranchi, drew participation from BJP workers, students, youth, and local residents demanding transparency and accountability in the examination process. Speaking at the rally, Sahu accused the Hemant Soren-led state government of jeopardizing students’ futures and claimed the movement had grown beyond Jharkhand into a national issue. He alleged that the government was filing false FIRs to suppress dissent and that ruling party workers were attacking protesting students. He further claimed that while “job racketeers” evaded justice, authorities were only arresting minor offenders through CID investigations as a cover-up. According to Sahu, genuine justice for students would only be possible through a CBI investigation, and he accused the government of turning recruitment agencies into profit-making tools. Elsewhere, Marandi led a similar protest at the DC office in Dumka, while Das participated in Hazaribagh. Former Chief Minister Madhu Koda headed the demonstration in Jamshedpur, and Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth joined the protest in Garhwa district. Marandi alleged that false cases had been registered against students and reaffirmed the BJP’s support for their cause. Das echoed these claims, alleging that the cases were filed at the instigation of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. He further alleged that students, including girls, had been mistreated during the protests and demanded a CBI investigation, asserting that such large-scale corruption could not occur without government complicity. Koda stated that the BJP would continue its campaign until a CBI investigation was conducted and all cases against students were withdrawn unconditionally, adding that intimidation tactics would not deter the students’ resolve. The demonstrations also saw participation from former State BJP President Deepak Prakash, Ranchi MLA C.P. Singh, Hatia MLA Naveen Jaiswal, and Ranchi Mayor Roshni Khalkho, all of whom criticized the state government during the protest march.