We came here to support them: Singer Ankur R Pathak, Lyricist Ritesh Rajwada on Jharkhand student protest
Aug 06, 2026
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], August 6 : Bollywood singer Ankur R Pathak and lyricist Ritesh Rajwada arrived in Ranchi to express support for students protesting over alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission.
The singer and lyricist joined the protestors on Friday and encouraged them by singing patriotic songs. Bollywood singer Ankur R Pathak praised the peaceful protest in Jharkhand, urging people to join this movement.
"I came here to support them. I am not with any political party, but I want to say that I have never seen such a peaceful protest before in Jharkhand. I urge people to come here and see, as this protest will act as an example of how protests should be done. There are no abuses here or bad language being used in this protest. This is India," Pathak told ANI. 
Lyricist Ritesh Rajwada expressed his support to the students, saying, "I am supporting them morally, physically and anyway possible. Jharkhand is the land of Birsa Munda. The voice here will go far and will create a long-lasting impact."
The remarks came amid protests by students over alleged irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC CGL and other recruitment examinations. The protesters have demanded cancellation of the exams, an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, and reforms in the state's recruitment process.
Students have been protesting in Ranchi over alleged recruitment irregularities, demanding exam cancellations, an independent probe, and long-term reforms in the state's recruitment machinery.
While the state government has invited student representatives for formal dialogue, the protesters maintain that their agitation will continue until all conditions are satisfied.
Amid an intensifying protest by JPSC-JSSC aspirants in Ranchi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA Jairam Kumar Mahato on Thursday issued an urgent plea to the state government, warning that "something untoward will happen" unless authorities immediately initiate talks with the agitating students.
Highlighting the gravity of their physical condition, Mahato revealed that Devendra Nath Mahto had gone without both food and water for nearly two days before a pivotal intervention.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Thursday said the government was probing the allegations within its administration and institutions and confirmed that 19 people have been arrested so far in connection with the case.