Ramgarh (Jharkhand) [India], August 24 : Student activist Devendra Nath Mahto on Monday launched a 24-district campaign from Ramgarh, Jharkhand, aimed at mobilising youth and pressing the state government for comprehensive recruitment exam reforms.
Invoking the blessings of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren and local villagers prior to setting out, Mahto outlined a campaign focused on systemic integrity, transparent hiring, and strict protection against exam malpractice.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "We took the blessings of all the villagers, followed traditional rituals, and invoked the blessings of Guruji (Shibu Soren)... We are beginning a tour of 24 districts. This 24-district, 24-resolve, one voice, will raise a voice for reform in the recruitment system. We will spread this voice to every village and work to connect villages and cities with this campaign."
The movement calls for strict, guaranteed measures to prevent question paper leaks, eliminate lobbying in civil and state service appointments, and root out institutional corruption.
"Corruption in the system here must be eradicated, paper leaks must be prevented, and the government must take action on all future examinations," he added.
Mahto emphasised that the decisions reached regarding 45 controversial recruitment examinations must remain legally protected and upheld, regardless of ongoing court proceedings or administrative challenges.
"The decision reached on the 45 controversial examinations must remain in place. Whether this matter goes to the High Court or elsewhere, this order must remain in place," he said.
The Jharkhand government has cancelled or ordered probes into 45 controversial recruitment exams conducted by JPSC, JSSC and outsourced agencies since 2014.
The decision came after a 26-day-long student agitation in Ranchi over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in state recruitment tests.
The affected exams include posts of deputy collectors, assistant engineers, civil judges, drug inspectors, forest range officers and the JSSC CGL exam. The state cabinet also ordered a probe into exams conducted by outsourced firms like TDPL.
The move has triggered a legal and political tussle. The Jharkhand High Court has temporarily stayed the cancellation after petitions from already-appointed candidates. While aspirants continue to demand systemic reforms, selected candidates are protesting to protect their jobs. CID probes and oversight committees are underway.
Mahto further demanded legally binding assurances from the state government that future recruitment drives will be conducted fairly, without political interference or backdoor rigging.
"We are fighting this battle by giving up even our food, hence today we are taking a pledge that in future there should be no rigging in any examination, the government should guarantee that no paper should be leaked, there should be no rigging, no job should be obtained through lobbying," he added.
As part of the launch, the students visited Nemra, the ancestral village of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, where they garlanded his statue.
Mahto had earlier said the yatra will seek to build awareness and public support among aspirants and youth across the state on issues of transparency, accountability and fairness in the recruitment system.
Starting from Ramgarh, the yatra will pass through districts including Hazaribagh, Chatra, Koderma, Giridih, Deoghar, Dumka, Godda, Sahebganj, Pakur, Jamtara, Dhanbad, Bokaro, East Singhbhum, Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum, Khunti, Simdega, Gumla, Latehar, Palamu, Garhwa and Ranchi.
The campaign is aimed at connecting rural and urban youth across every district in Jharkhand to build a unified coalition.