India Police Clash With Youth Protesters Demanding Exam Overhaul

Thousands of angry job seekers clashed with police in Jharkhand, India, escalating weeks of protest over alleged irregularities in government recruitment drives. The demonstrators marched on the state legislature in Ranchi, demanding an investigation into alleged exam paper leaks and cheating.

Police responded with water cannon, teargas, and batons to prevent protesters from reaching the assembly. Some demonstrators danced and cheered despite the water jets. This unrest follows similar nationwide concerns over leaks in a national medical entrance examination, which previously pressured the national government and led to the education minister's resignation.

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The baton charge was barbaric. We were protesting peacefully, but the government used batons against us.

Protesters accuse authorities of failing to prevent irregularities, which they say deny young people a fair chance at securing coveted government jobs. Jharkhand faces high unemployment, making these positions, with their job security and benefits, highly sought after. In one recent recruitment exercise, nearly 640,000 applications were received for just 2,025 posts.

Protester Piyush Kumar Soni described the baton charge as "barbaric," stating, "We were protesting peacefully, but the government used batons against us." The demonstrators are demanding an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), believing only an independent inquiry can uncover the truth. The state government has engaged in talks, claiming most demands have been accepted, but protesters remain dissatisfied.

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Students have a right to peaceful protest, and only dialogue can yield solutions.