Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns of job aspirants seriously amid an ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. Soren said a decision on the demands raised by the protesters would be taken at an appropriate time after examining all aspects of the matter. The remarks came as job aspirants continued their indefinite sit-in protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, which began on July 29. The protesters have been demanding an independent investigation into the alleged recruitment irregularities by a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand, arguing that a state-level inquiry would not be sufficient to ensure transparency.
Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, Soren said the government was closely monitoring the situation and would take necessary action after reviewing the findings of the investigation. "With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," he said. The chief minister also defended the ongoing probe into the alleged irregularities, saying investigating agencies were looking into every aspect of the matter. He said officials were examining whether any mistakes had occurred and assured that the government would take decisions once all facts emerged.
"The way the investigation team is active, wherever any kind of mistakes have happened or are happening, all those things are being thoroughly examined, and after everything comes out, the government's decisions will also certainly come forward," Soren said. The protesters, however, have criticised the government's decision to entrust the investigation to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID). They have alleged that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government was attempting to "whitewash" the issue by avoiding an independent inquiry.
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The protesting candidates have previously demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and sought an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), claiming that large-scale financial transactions were linked to the alleged recruitment scam. The agitation has put pressure on the state government, with job aspirants demanding accountability and clarity over the recruitment process. Protesters have argued that irregularities in competitive examinations affect thousands of candidates who spend years preparing for government jobs and deserve a fair and transparent selection system.
Meanwhile, former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das urged Hemant Soren to engage directly with the protesting youths and consider their demand for a CBI investigation. Das said direct communication with the candidates could help address their concerns and find a solution to the ongoing dispute. The controversy comes at a time when employment opportunities and recruitment transparency remain major concerns among young job seekers across several states. The Jharkhand government has maintained that it will act based on the findings of the investigation, while protesters continue to press for an external inquiry to ensure public confidence in the process.
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