Temples, mosques and gurudwaras unite to support Jharkhand student protest

Temples, mosques, gurudwaras and local residents have come together to support students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations, providing food, drinking water and other essential supplies as the agitation entered its 13th day.

The demonstration, organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, has continued despite persistent rainfall in Ranchi, with hundreds of students remaining at the protest site under temporary shelters. Six protesters are also continuing an indefinite hunger strike.

The movement is demanding sweeping reforms in the functioning of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), alleging irregularities in recruitment examinations.

Volunteers at the protest site said meals are being supplied daily by nearby temples, mosques and gurudwaras, while families from different parts of the state have also been sending home-cooked food. Students have additionally contributed by bringing meals from their own homes.

According to organisers, food is prepared and distributed collectively without any distinction based on religion or caste. Visitors and journalists covering the protest have also been offered meals, while donations of drinking water and other necessities have continued to arrive.

Protesters stressed that their campaign is focused solely on recruitment reforms rather than political, religious or caste identities.

"Our common identity is that we are students seeking justice and reforms in the system," one participant said, while another emphasised that the movement's demands were centred entirely on ensuring a fair recruitment process.

Organisers have also introduced a publicly displayed code of conduct at the protest venue, instructing speakers to avoid political, religious or caste-based remarks and to refrain from using abusive or inflammatory language. They said the guidelines were intended to keep the movement focused on its principal objective of examination and recruitment reforms.

In addition to seeking systemic reforms, the protesters have demanded the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Civil Services Examination conducted by the JPSC and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. They have called for the probe to be carried out either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by a panel of retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand.

Student leaders said the solidarity shown by people from different communities had strengthened their determination to continue the protest until concrete assurances on recruitment reforms are received.

With PTI inputs