Hundreds of Indian students marched toward the Jharkhand state assembly on Monday, intensifying an ongoing demonstration against alleged malpractices in public sector recruitment examinations, while several participants continue an indefinite hunger strike.

The agitation in Ranchi, the capital of the eastern state populated by over 33 million residents, erupted on July 29.

The movement gained momentum shortly after youth-led protests organized by the online Cockroach Janta Party in New Delhi forced the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following a 36-day rally.

That rare victory brought examination integrity to the forefront of national politics, challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

In contrast, the current demonstrations in Jharkhand target the state government, which is governed by an opposition coalition.

At least six demonstrators are participating in a hunger strike, including 33-year-old student activist Devendra Nath Mahto, who has refused food for over a week.

"We want the whole system to change," Mahto told local media outlets, demanding an immediate end to the state civil service outsourcing its examination processes to private firms.

Demonstrators are calling for the annulment of several recruitment tests administered by private agencies on behalf of the state government, alongside a formal investigation by federal police.

On Monday, security personnel deployed heavy barricades and barbed wire around the state assembly complex to block the advancing crowds, who marched through the streets shouting slogans.

The deployment followed multiple unsuccessful rounds of negotiations between student representatives and state authorities.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has attempted to defuse the rising tension by conceding to select student demands, leading to the resignation of several officials from the state civil service commission.

"Every problem can be resolved through dialogue," Soren stated during an address on Sunday.

The ongoing unrest underscores widespread economic anxiety and frustration among Indian youth, for whom securing a government position represents a crucial path to employment amid intense competition for public sector jobs.

Source: AFP