Ranchi- The standoff between the Jharkhand government and protesting students over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC competitive examinations continued on Saturday, with the second round of talks ending without any breakthrough. The student agitation in Ranchi has now entered its 15th day.
The meeting, held at the State Guest House in Morabadi, lasted nearly one hour and 45 minutes. Four state ministers took part in the discussions along with representatives of the student delegation associated with the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front.
During the meeting, the students stood firm on their demand for complete cancellation of the examinations under dispute. They also reiterated that they would go ahead with their planned Assembly gherao on August 10.
The government delegation included ministers Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Deepika Pandey Singh, Chamara Linda and Sanjay Prasad Yadav. They listened to the students’ concerns and appealed to them to call off their sit-in, while assuring them that the government was committed to bringing greater transparency to the examination system.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Sudivya Kumar Sonu said the government would hold discussions with students and other stakeholders across Jharkhand rather than limiting the process to any one organisation.
He said the government had also introduced a dedicated email ID to receive suggestions on examination reforms. Students and members of the public have been encouraged to send their recommendations, which will be considered while preparing a comprehensive policy on the issue.
The minister said the dialogue would continue and that the government would also reach out to other student organisations.
Sonu accused opposition parties of trying to turn the issue into a political controversy. He said the government had taken the matter seriously from the beginning by ordering a CID investigation, carrying out raids and making arrests in connection with the alleged irregularities.
The protesting students, however, remained unmoved. Student leaders said they had no intention of withdrawing the agitation and would continue their movement until the examinations in question were cancelled.
The latest meeting came a day after the first round of talks between the two sides also ended without a concrete outcome. With the government and students maintaining their respective positions, the deadlock over the JPSC-JSSC examination row continues.
With inputs from IANS