JPSC-JSSC exam row: Student on indefinite fast shifted to ICU as health condition worsens

A student leader protesting alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams was shifted to ICU after his health deteriorated during an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi. Opposition leaders visited the hospital and demanded a sensitive approach towards student concerns

Ranchi: A student on an indefinite hunger strike against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) recruitment examinations was admitted to hospital after his health deteriorated on Friday.

Student leader Rahul Kranti from Palamu was rushed to the Ranchi Sadar Hospital by ambulance and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after his condition became critical.

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He had been on an indefinite fast at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium since Tuesday night as part of the students’ protest demanding a fair and transparent recruitment process.

According to fellow protesters, Rahul’s health suddenly worsened on Friday, and he experienced severe dizziness whenever he tried to stand. Following medical concerns, organisers decided to shift him to the hospital for immediate treatment.

Another protester, B. Pandey, also fell ill while raising slogans at the demonstration site and was subsequently taken to hospital.

Meanwhile, continuous rainfall further aggravated conditions at the protest site, leading to health issues for another student, Braj Kishore from Koderma, who was also admitted for medical care.

After learning about the deteriorating health of the students, Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari visited the hospital and directed doctors to ensure proper treatment for the ailing protesters.

Later in the day, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi also reached the Sadar Hospital, met the students and enquired about their condition from the attending doctors.

Expressing support for the agitation, Marandi urged the fasting students not to risk their lives because of what he described as the government’s rigid approach.

He said the students would need to sustain a long-term struggle for justice and should not endanger their health.

Marandi alleged that the confidence of the aspirants in Jharkhand’s examination and recruitment system has eroded. He called upon the state government to adopt a more sensitive approach towards the concerns of students and job seekers.

The BJP leader further claimed that several recruitment examinations conducted in the state since 2019 had been marred by irregularities.

He said the ongoing agitation was not merely the concern of a handful of candidates but represented the voice of thousands of young people across Jharkhand demanding employment opportunities and a transparent, fair examination system.