Hunger Strikes, Political Fault Lines and a Divided Students’ Protest in Ranchi

The controversy over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s competitive examinations has intensified as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) begins its investigation into the JPSC 14th Preliminary Examination and other alleged examination scams.

According to the report, the ED has registered a case under money-laundering provisions to investigate alleged financial transactions linked to the irregularities. The development comes as students continue demanding a CBI probe, while the state government maintains that the ongoing CID investigation is sufficient.

The government has claimed that around 98% of the students’ demands have been accepted, but protesting students have rejected the claim and accused the administration of misleading them. Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been made across Ranchi ahead of the students’ planned march towards the Jharkhand Assembly.