Student protests over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations intensified on Wednesday, August 12, as leaders warned that the ongoing agitation could turn into a wider mass movement if their demands are not addressed. Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader Devendra Nath Mahto has continued his hunger strike despite being hospitalised at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. The protest is centred on demands raised by students affected by alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan claimed that around 50,000 students participated in the August 10 march in Ranchi, despite alleged attempts by the police administration to prevent students from reaching the city from different districts. The protesters took part in a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march, after which Mahto's health reportedly deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital. Protesters gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and continued their agitation while seeking government action on their demands.

Paswan alleged that police initially cooperated with the protesters but that the situation changed after 5 pm. He claimed that students were later dispersed using batons and alleged that there was pressure from senior authorities to clear the area. Protesters have also alleged that women participants and media personnel were subjected to force during the march. The allegations come amid heightened tensions between the administration and student groups over the handling of the demonstration.

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Another student leader, Piyush Kumar, accused the Jharkhand administration of using force against both students and journalists and said the protesters would announce further steps if their demands remained unresolved. Kumar said the students were still willing to hold talks with the government but maintained that the alleged use of force was unacceptable. He also said administrative officials had visited the protesters informally and that the core committee was cooperating with requests to provide members' names and addresses.

The student leaders have appealed to the state government to resolve the matter at the earliest and prevent the agitation from escalating. Paswan warned that continued inaction could transform the current students' protest into a "mass movement". He said the protesters had so far attempted to keep the situation under control but suggested that stronger action could follow if the government did not respond to their demands.

The students are demanding cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged irregularities and comprehensive reforms in the recruitment process. The agitation comes as Mahto enters the 11th day of his hunger strike. While the protesters have expressed their willingness to engage with the administration, tensions remain high following the August 10 march and allegations of police action against demonstrators and media personnel.

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