Thousands of youth march on legislature in India to protest alleged job exams wrongdoing

Thousands of young people marched on the state legislature in India's eastern Jharkhand state on Monday, protesting alleged wrongdoing in the state's civil services examinations. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd as they breached barricades, holding placards and national flags while shouting slogans amid heavy security.

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Police said they used water cannons to disperse thousands of youth protesters as they marched on the state legislature in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand on Monday to protest against alleged wrongdoing in the state's civil services examinations.

Students and unemployed youth in Jharkhand, one of India's poorer states, launched protests late last month. They allege widespread irregularities in state public service recruitment examinations, including the leak of test question papers. Their core demands include a complete overhaul of the state's examination system, the cancellation of specific tests, and a thorough investigation by federal police.

The protest, which began on July 25, intensified after thousands gathered in the state capital, Ranchi. The state government, led by a regional party opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has engaged in talks with protesters. Officials stated that a majority of their demands have been accepted and that they remain open to further discussions.

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Their demands include an overhaul of the state's examination system, cancellation of some tests and an investigation by the federal police.

These demonstrations echo recent youth-led protests in the capital, Delhi, which led to the resignation of the country's Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, last month over leaks in the national medical entrance test. The ongoing youth protests are seen as a significant reflection of their deep-seated anger over corruption within the education sector, a severe lack of opportunities, and pervasive unemployment across the country.

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The state government - ruled by a regional party opposed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi - has held talks with the protesters and said a majority of their demands have been accepted and it is open to more talks.