Jharkhand police disperse exam protesters with batons

Indian police in the eastern state of Jharkhand fired tear gas, hurled batons and blasted water cannons at hundreds of young people marching toward the state assembly in Ranchi on Tuesday. The crowd was demanding an immediate overhaul of the state’s examination system after evidence emerged that government recruitment tests were riddled with irregularities, including leaked papers and biased grading.

The protests follow a string of scandals in Jharkhand’s public-sector hiring drives. In the past six months alone, cheating rings linked to coaching centers have been busted in exams for teachers, police constables and forest guards. Last month, authorities canceled a state-wide clerical test after video footage showed invigilators handing answer sheets to candidates. The government has promised fresh tests, but students say the assurances ring hollow. “We want the culprits punished and the entire system rebuilt,” said one protester who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

Police confirmed they used force after protesters tried to break through barricades near the assembly building. At least 25 people were injured and taken to hospital, according to local media. Opposition lawmakers have accused the ruling party of trying to silence dissent and called for an independent judicial inquiry. Jharkhand’s chief minister, Hemant Soren, has so far avoided public comment, fuelling anger that the government is more interested in protecting its reputation than fixing the crisis.

The unrest risks wider fallout. Tens of thousands of young people in Jharkhand depend on government jobs for stability, and the perception that exams are rigged deepens youth unemployment and fuels migration to other states. Opposition parties are planning a statewide shutdown on Friday, raising the stakes for Soren’s administration. If the government fails to restore trust, the protests could spread to neighboring Bihar and West Bengal, where similar scandals have already sparked anger. The crisis is no longer just about leaked papers; it is about whether India’s youth believe the state still works for them.