ISLAMABAD: Indian police in Jharkhand have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 300 unnamed people following a student-led protest march in Ranchi over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, weeks after a youth protest movement dubbed the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) triggered demonstrations over exam leaks and alleged corruption.

The August 10 demonstration saw job aspirants march towards the Jharkhand Assembly, demanding greater transparency and accountability in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Protesters are demanding the cancellation of disputed examinations and an investigation into alleged malpractice.

According to Ranchi police, the FIR was registered over alleged violations of prohibitory orders, damage to government property, and attacks on police personnel.

Senior police officer Neeraj Kumar said authorities were using video footage from the protest to identify those allegedly involved.

“The process to identify these miscreants is underway through videos,” Kumar told the media.

He said the case was registered on the complaint of a magistrate deployed near the Assembly during the students’ march.

“The case was lodged based on the complaint of a magistrate, who was deployed near the Assembly during the students’ march,” Kumar said.

“No detention or arrest was made in connection with the case. Video clips are being scanned to identify miscreants and take further action,” he added.

Earlier, Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Manjunath Bhajantri and Superintendent of Police Rakesh Ranjan said the administration would analyse CCTV footage to identify people allegedly involved in disrupting what authorities described as a “peaceful” student protest on August 10.

The agitation has now entered its third week, with protesters announcing a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi on August 15, India’s Independence Day, and vowing to continue their movement until their demands are addressed.

The Jharkhand government has already announced the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Civil Services examination, along with two other JPSC examinations, amid the continuing agitation.

The latest FIR has further heightened tensions between protesting job aspirants and authorities, as students continue to press for action over alleged irregularities in India's recruitment examination system.

CJP protests fuel wider youth anger

The Jharkhand agitation comes amid a broader wave of youth protests in India over alleged examination irregularities, paper leaks, and corruption, following demonstrations by the satirical Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in June and July.

The CJP protests brought students and young job aspirants into the streets, demanding accountability over alleged failures in India’s examination system and calling for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

On June 28, Ladakhi environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk joined the CJP protest and began an indefinite hunger strike, demanding Pradhan’s resignation. Several left-leaning student unions and political groups also backed the demonstrations.

On July 20, largely Gen Z protesters attempted to march towards Parliament but faced a forceful response from Delhi Police, including water cannons and pellet guns, with several protesters reported injured.

The Jantar Mantar agitation ended after Pradhan left the Cabinet on July 25, following weeks of mounting pressure from protesters.

The CJP has since announced another protest campaign against corruption and alleged irregularities, while student-led demonstrations in states such as Jharkhand continue to keep examination transparency and accountability in the spotlight.

FIR

Jharkhand books 300 after ‘Cockroach’ movement sparks youth protests