Won’t give up: Jharkhand aspirant continues hunger strike from ICU

A 40-year-old Jharkhand recruitment aspirant, Rahul Kranti, is in an ICU after six days of hunger strike over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. He demands cancellation of recruitment exams since 2019 and CBI-ED probes into alleged corruption

Ranchi: A government job has remained tantalisingly close yet frustratingly out of reach for Rahul Kranti. Now, even as he lies in an ICU after six days without food, the 40-year-old refuses to give up his fight. Kranti, who claims to have cleared several job examinations but is yet to get a job, is among the six protesters on hunger strike over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment process.

He claimed that he cracked the JSSC-Graduate Trained Teacher in 2016 but was not empanelled, while he is awaiting an appointment letter for the 2023 assistant teacher recruitment exam, alleging it was all because of corruption.

---

Kranti has vowed to continue his fast until the state government agrees to cancel all state-level recruitment exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) since 2019.

He further said that he appeared in the 14th JPSC examination this year following an age relaxation ordered by the high court. This was probably his last chance to appear in the government recruitment exam, but allegations of paper leak and exam irregularities have dashed his hopes.

A native of Palamu district, Kranti began his hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Tuesday night, and was shifted to a hospital on the fourth day as his health deteriorated.

“Doctors say that I am suffering from viral fever. I was shifted here on Friday with high fever and headache. When my condition did not improve, doctors shifted me to the hospital,” Kranti told PTI. Kranti said his health condition was stable, although he feels weak.

“Doctors are saying that my health will not improve until I take food. But I am determined to continue with my fast because the state government is not paying heed to our demands,” he said.

The protester claimed that during the talks between the government and the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, which has been spearheading the demonstration, on Friday night, the government team indicated that they can only agree to cancelling the 14th JPSC exam once the CID presents its probe report.This shows the government does not intend to resolve the issues, he alleged.

“Until the government agrees to cancel all state-level recruitment exams conducted by the JPSC and JSSC since 2019 and orders a probe by the CBI and ED, we will continue with this protest. I will remain on hunger strike, whether I am in the hospital or at the protest site.”

“The government needs to initiate reforms in its recruitment system. The future of Jharkhand’s youth will not be allowed to be sold,” he said.

Dr Nancy Priya, the Medical Officer of Sadar Hospital, said, “Rahul Kranti ji is complaining of weakness and has not taken any food yet. He has viral fever and throat irritation. He is only taking water on our advice.

“We are monitoring his blood pressure and sugar levels. He urgently needs to eat, and we are trying to persuade him. However, the decision ultimately rests with him.” As of now, he is being administered a multi-vitamin infusion, the doctor said.

A fresh round of talks between the Jharkhand government and students protesting the alleged irregularities in recruitment exams began on Sunday.

The state government on Friday night held discussions with the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. Throughout the next day, it held four rounds of talks with different student groups, including the Congress’ student wing NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM) and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh (ACS). However, since the meetings remained inconclusive, the government decided to hold a sixth round of talks with student representatives around 12 pm on Sunday.