Politics · India Bureau
Jharkhand exam protesters accuse govt of betrayal after court stays cancellations
Student protesters in Jharkhand have accused the state government of failing to adequately defend its decision to cancel recruitment exams in court. The Jharkhand High Court's decision to stay the cancellations has sparked fresh tensions between competing groups of candidates.
LSN India ·
Discontent has mounted among anti-irregularity protesters in Jharkhand after the state's High Court stayed government notifications to cancel numerous recruitment examinations, a development they view as a capitulation by the Hemant Soren administration.
The JMM-led government had previously cancelled 22 job examinations and ordered investigations into 23 others, moves credited with ending a 26-day protest against alleged malfeasance in the state's recruitment process. However, successful exam candidates who faced the prospect of losing their jobs challenged the cancellations in court, prompting the judicial intervention.
The court's decision has rekindled political tensions over the issue. The BJP has criticized the state government's courtroom performance and attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for what it characterised as inconsistent positions on student welfare. The ruling JMM has countered that opposition parties are exploiting student grievances for political gain.
The competing protests underscore the contentious nature of the examination irregularities affair, which has exposed divisions not only between the government and protesters, but also among student groups with divergent interests in the outcome of the recruitment process.