Students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand have insisted that any dialogue with Chief Minister Hemant Soren should take place in the presence of the media rather than behind closed doors.
The protesters put forward this condition after the state government expressed its willingness to engage with the agitating students. They, however, said a meeting with government representatives would take place, although the date and time of the talks have not yet been finalised.
"The government has expressed its willingness to engage in dialogue, and we have also conveyed our willingness. Dialogue is essential in a democratic country as it is the only way to reach a resolution," student leader Ravindra Paswan said.
He said the students had placed two key conditions before the government. "Our primary condition is that the dialogue should take place directly with the chief minister, and we have been assured that he will be present. Secondly, we want at least two media representatives to be present during the discussions. The SDO has asked us to submit the names of our delegation members before 10 am, after which the date and time of the meeting will be communicated," he added.
The students have been protesting in Ranchi for the past several days over alleged irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC CGL, and other competitive examinations.
State minister Irfan Ansari said the chief minister has constituted a committee, and the government is open to considering the students' demands.
"We have opened the door for dialogue. Talks will take place, we will listen to your demands, and if they are reasonable, we will certainly accept them. They are our students, our children," Ansari told ANI.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) leader Devendra Nath Mahato on Wednesday dismissed reports that he had ended his hunger strike over the alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
He asserted that his fast continues and that he has only started drinking water on the advice of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk.
"This is misleading and false news. After speaking with Sonam Wangchuk, I only started drinking water—which I wasn't doing earlier—and my hunger strike is still ongoing. Today is the fifth day. It is completely wrong that such fake and misleading news is being spread," Mahato said.
He added that the protesters would continue their agitation until all their demands were accepted.
