Jharkhand protest leader vows Phase 2 campaign after exam cancellation

The Jharkhand government's decision to cancel the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination has not fully satisfied protest organisers, who have signalled an intensified campaign ahead. JLKM leader Devendra Mahto declared plans to launch a second phase of demonstrations demanding institutional reforms in the recruitment process and an independent investigation into irregularities. Mahto and two other prominent protesters ended their hunger strike shortly after midnight following the state's announcement, but three other demonstrators have continued their fast, underscoring the movement's unmet demands.

The cancellation of the JSSC-CGL test represents a significant concession by the Jharkhand administration, which faced mounting pressure from the sustained protest movement. The agitation has centred on allegations of corruption and irregularities in competitive examinations conducted by the state's recruitment body, drawing attention to systemic governance concerns affecting job seekers across the region.

The protest organisers have maintained their call for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recruitment examination process. This demand reflects broader concerns about the credibility of state-level recruitment systems and the need for independent oversight to ensure fairness and transparency in civil service selections.