After Jharkhand protesters burn Soren, Rahul effigies, State Government calls for fourth round of talks
Protesters say Congress had promised to withdraw support from the JMM-led regime if the demand for a CBI probe was not addressed by August 15
On the 23rd day of their protest, students in Jharkhand set ablaze effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Their fury stemmed from the government's apparent disregard for their demand for a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in competitive exams for government jobs, including the JPSC Combined Civil Services Examination and the JSSC-CGL exam.
Similar protests erupted in other districts, with students vociferously condemning the JMM-led government and the Congress, which had purportedly vowed to withdraw its support to the State government if it failed to address their demands by Independence Day.
The State government, in response to the escalating tension, extended an olive branch to the protesting leaders by inviting them for a fourth round of talks. According to a Ranchi district official serving as the conduit between the State and the students, the talks were tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on August 17, 2026, at the State guest house in Ranchi.
Ravindra Paswan, the leader of the JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch, recounted how the students' agitation began with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi assuring them of a CBI probe if Hemant Soren did not take positive steps by August 15. However, despite the extended deadline, the government has yet to take any concrete action, prompting Paswan to warn of a potential gherao (encirclement) of the CM's residence on August 20 if their demands are unmet.
In a separate development, Jharkhand's Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Babulal Marandi, posted a video of the effigy burning on X, stating that the students had sent a clear message to both Soren and Gandhi that they would not bow down. Marandi highlighted the students' 22-day long peaceful protest, demanding a CBI investigation into job selling in JPSC and JSSC, and criticized the Congress-JMM-RJD coalition for its apparent disregard for student welfare.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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