Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto on 18 August announced that the protest movement against examination irregularities in Jharkhand is entering its second phase — one that demands a legally binding, leak-proof examination framework from the state government. The declaration came after Mahto ended a 16-day hunger strike following the Jharkhand government's cancellation of all examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) and TDPL at a special Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

What the Second Stage Demands

Mahto made clear that the cancellation of 14 examinations is only a partial victory. He said the movement's ultimate goal is a structural overhaul of Jharkhand's entire recruitment and examination ecosystem — one rooted in transparency and free of corruption.

'We want recruitment examinations which are secure from any kind of paper leaks. The government must now guarantee a system that leaves no room for future paper leaks, issues in question paper setting, or any form of malpractice during examinations,' Mahto said. He called for the state Assembly to pass a dedicated law, adding that a constitutional amendment should be pursued if necessary to achieve this objective.

Why the Demand Carries Weight

Mahto pointed to a damaging pattern of repeat failures in Jharkhand's examination system. The JSSC-CGL examination — one of the 14 now cancelled — had already been scrapped once before on 28 January 2024 following a paper leak. The re-examination, meant to correct the breach, was itself compromised by another leak, forcing a second cancellation. 'So, the 14 exams which have now been cancelled — what is the guarantee that paper leaks won't happen again?' Mahto asked.

He noted that investigations into examination irregularities have been ongoing 'even since the formation of Jharkhand,' yet students have not received justice. This context lends urgency to the demand for a legislative fix rather than administrative assurances alone.

How the Hunger Strike Ended

Mahto ended his fast on its 16th day following a joint intervention by Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Minister Deepika Pandey, and MLA Jairam Mahto. 'Today, on the 16th day of our hunger strike, we ended our fast in a dignified manner... All the demands for which we had been protesting constitutionally and peacefully have been fulfilled,' he said, thanking the government, students, and supporters.

Celebrations at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium

The Cabinet's decision triggered spontaneous celebrations among students gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Despite heavy rain, protesters embraced, distributed sweets, raised slogans, and celebrated with colours and fireworks. They described the JSSC-CGL cancellation as a decisive win after 24 days of sustained agitation.

What Comes Next

With the first stage of demands met, attention now shifts to whether the Jharkhand government will legislate the systemic safeguards Mahto has outlined. Mahto argued that a robust anti-leak law would benefit not just the current generation of job aspirants but future ones as well. The pressure on the Soren administration to move from cancellation to prevention is now squarely in focus.