An activist in India's eastern Jharkhand state has ended a 16-day hunger strike after the government agreed to protesters' demands to cancel a controversial recruitment exam. Devendra Nath Mahto, who was on hunger strike for 16 days, ended his fast in the presence of state ministers at a hospital in the capital city of Ranchi.
Mahto was a prominent figure in protests that began on July 25. Job-seekers and students alleged irregularities in government recruitment exams and called for reforms. The protests gained momentum following allegations of manipulation in the preliminary civil service exam results in Jharkhand, where some candidates claimed that answer sheets shared online showed successful applicants had answered fewer questions than expected.
These demonstrations occurred on the heels of larger protests in Delhi, which led to the resignation of the federal education minister. The pressure contributed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren's government agreeing to cancel the preliminary exam and initiating an investigation by the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Several arrests have been made in connection with the alleged malpractices, including the chief of the Jharkhand Public Service Commission.
However, protesters have stated they will not cease demonstrations until India's premier investigative agency begins probing alleged malpractices in other recruitment exams. Their demands also include the cancellation of the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) examination and an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Government jobs in India are highly sought after due to the stability and security they offer. Millions of individuals participate in national and state-level recruitment exams annually, often attending coaching classes, until they reach the mandated age limit. Despite the rigorous application process, many exams have been marred by controversies, including allegations of question paper leaks and the use of unfair means by candidates. For those who qualify, the recruitment process can sometimes extend for years, adding to the uncertainty.