DECISIVE GEN. Z UPRISING IN JHARKHAND

For over a month, young job aspirants aided by active students have been rightly demanding fairness, transparency and regularity in Jharkhand state’s maligned civil services and other recruitment examinations

Allegations have been levelled against conduct of such examinations in the past also by some tainted agencies based outside the state, followed by cancellation of a few examinations, subsequently.

In a latest development, the state Government has cancelled the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2015-16. It is bound to please majority of the agitators but at the same time , has put the fate of atleast two thousand employees and another one thousand in peril.

They were already on long wait as the recruitment process having been notified in 2015-16, is reported to have gone through its own share of cancellations, delays and Court battles. After a favourable High Court order of December 3, 2025, candidates had finally received appointment orders in the same month. Many of the persons who may be jobless due to order dated August 18, had given up Central Government employment and other bright prospects outside Jharkhand, to stay with their family.

Though main protest has been put on hold for the time being, there is no guarantee that losers due to latest round of cancellation may not resort to a Counter Protest.

Inspiration & Strength

The ongoing controversy emanates from 14th Combined JPSC examination conducted on July 2, 2026. A record number of 3.5 lakh aspirants had appeared.

Taking a cue from the quickly managed mobilisation of Generation Z at Jantar Mantar, young blood of Jharkhand felt very encouraged.

Following their foot steps carefully, they picked up political language of the protest in a swift way. As one political columnist put it, they connected individual experiences with collective identity.

Further, when so called media failed to espouse their cause, Cell phones of youth became cameras and no newsroom was needed to spread and convey their grievances, plans and achievements. Also useful tips would be elicited.

Cockroach Janta Party

Much against apprehensions being expressed in many quarters, especially in the Hindi belt, CJP has not become dormant. As it has created ripples all over after its 36 days of protest, it has gained national visibility, opines another national commentater. It is not a spent force even when their planned protest against the continued use of EVM appears to have been side lined.

They have launched KYA BOLTI PUBLIC ?, a national level youth outreach drive in Maharashtra and a national working committee, comprising of Abhijeet Dipke, Saurabh Das and Ashutosh Ranka is going to work at the grassroot levels.

Back To Jharkhand

Many of the young boys and girls of Jharkhand have resorted to daily protests and hunger strike in support of their demands. By and large, they have been patient and have displayed appreciable non- violent behaviour. Apart from fast by many sole bread earners aiming to crack competitive examinations, fast by slightly old Devendra Mahto, which has already exceeded 18 days , gives requisite strength to the movement.

One protester of Jamtara has stated out of disgust that ” Every examination I have taken over the past three years has either been cancelled or faced allegations of irregularities”. Very unfortunate indeed.

Keeping Away From Politicians

No politician of any shade or party has been encouraged to come closer to the band of spirited youth. But one of the negotiating teams has three ‘experts’ from among Journalists and Advocates. Politicians in their garb may always penetrate and tilt the balance in the way they want.This be prevented.

One may also ask at the same time: Is there a need to have two negotiating teams – JPSC-JSSC-A.N.Manch and JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch ?

Role of Ranchi High Court

It is generally seen that aggrieved students knock at the door of Ranchi High Court when bureaucratic avenues fail to deliver. Courts no doubt admit their petitions but grievances take a very long time to get redressed or a Special Investigation Team gets set up. In the ultimate analysis, orders hardly get implemented.

Even the latest demand by the youth to order a CBI investigation and set up a State Testing Agency on the lines of NTA at the central level, may not make a dent in view of long history of delays, non- co operation and intolerance prevailing in the state.

Stand of State Government

State Government at last has become cautious. It has kept its door for negotiations open sooner than expected. Actions too are being taken side by side. Otherwise 19 arrests including of L.Khiangte, the former Chairman (also former C.S.), JPSC would not have taken place. Seeing the overall mood of the youth, three members of the outgoing JPSC, Ajeeta Bhattacharya, Anima Hansda and Jamal Ahmed, too have tendered their resignation.

It is sad to note that a CBI investigation into state’s first and second provincial civil services examination conducted in 2003 and 2005 is still going on. Looking at its horrible pace , current demand for probes by CBI and ED in selected instances, may not make much sense.

Inaction of Past State Government

It is unfortunate to note that the Raghubar Das led BJP Government during its five year tenure from 2014 to 2019 failed to conduct even one JPSC examination. Accordingly 7th to 13th JPSC examinations had to be held in two lots in 2021 and 2024. Credibility of such a hurried exercise was bound to be questioned.

People in general and youth in particular deserved a deal which was away from ad hocism in a state, very rich in mineral resources but fairly high in Corruption index, both perpetrated by politicians and bureaucrats.

Views of Mohan Bhagwat on Generation Z

Addressing a gathering of two thousand youth of Gen Z and Gen Alpha at Mumbai on August 6, the RSS Chief has stressed that 6% of GDP has to be spent on education and that Gen Z was not an anti- national outfit or influenced by foreign interests.Terming the recent Jantar Mantar protests as genuine, he underlined the need for reforms in education system. And that such reforms have to come through dialogue.

Protest was a legitimate form of dialogue in democracy, he highlighted. Concerns raised over country’s education system look genuine. At the same time, he called upon Gen Z to look beyond Government jobs and embrace entrepreneurship.

Looks the RSS Chief had some impact over softening of attitude of the Prime Minister but irregularities prevailing in many other sectors need to be looked into and accountability needs to be fixed on priority.

Stand of Congress Party

The Congress party, a coalition partner in Hemant Soren Government has appealed to all Governments to improve education system and listen to agitating students raising voice in cosmopolitan setting of Ranchi. But the party has not taken any worthwhile step thus far. Its leader Rahul Gandhi, instead, has been criticised vehemently for maintaining a safe distance from the battle scene.

To Sum Up

Protesters and hunger strikers even while being more peaceful and decent in outbursts than their senior brethren of Jantar Mantar, have to face barricades, lathi charge, tear gas and water canons every now and then.They are well behaved and look committed to their cause. Social media and personal contact through Cell phones may keep helping them.

Above all, the success stories of Nav Nirman Samity movement of Gujarat, J.P. movement in Bihar, U.P. and its wide ranging game changing effect elsewhere and not to be forgotten, Assam movement will be there to inspire the simple and suffering youngsters of Jharkhand.

(The author is former Chief Secretary, Sikkim. Views are strictly personal)