Ranchi: Students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand‘s recruitment examinations were met with water cannons by police in Ranchi on Monday, but some demonstrators responded in an unexpected manner — by dancing.
Videos from the protest site showed students cheering and dancing as police used water cannons to prevent them from advancing towards the Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha. The unusual response quickly became a talking point as the students continued their protest despite the police action.
Students march towards Vidhan Sabha
The demonstration was organised by the JPSC-JSSC Reform Morcha as part of a ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march over alleged irregularities in examinations and the recruitment process conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
A large number of students gathered at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium before beginning their march towards the Assembly. Many protesters were seen wearing T-shirts identifying themselves as volunteers.
As the demonstrators approached the Assembly, police deployed barricades to stop them from moving further. When some protesters attempted to push through the barricades, water cannons were used to disperse the crowd.
Protesters dance amid water cannon action
Despite the water being sprayed towards them, some students refused to retreat immediately.
Videos showed groups of protesters cheering and dancing as powerful jets of water hit the crowd. In one particularly striking moment, a student was seen climbing onto a police barricade and dancing while the water cannon operation continued around him.
The visuals were widely shared on social media, with the students’ unusual response adding a lighter moment to an otherwise tense protest.
The videos also showed demonstrators continuing to participate in the march despite the police action.
Protest enters 17th day
The agitation has reportedly continued for 17 days, with students demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.
Protesters are seeking the cancellation of certain examinations conducted by JPSC and JSSC and have also demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities.
The protesters have argued that recruitment examinations should be conducted transparently and fairly, particularly because thousands of candidates depend on these examinations for government employment opportunities.
The allegations made by the protesters are subject to examination by the authorities concerned.
Hunger striker joins march
JPSC protest leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on hunger strike during the agitation, also joined the march towards the Assembly.
According to reports, Mahto travelled towards the protest site in an ambulance before joining the demonstrators. He was later seen being carried on a stretcher by his supporters during the march.
His participation highlighted the intensity of the ongoing agitation and the determination of the protesters to press their demands.
Heavy police deployment in Ranchi
Security arrangements were strengthened in Ranchi as the protesters attempted to reach the Vidhan Sabha.
Barricades were placed along the route, while police personnel were deployed to prevent the demonstrators from entering restricted areas around the Assembly.
The water cannon action came after protesters attempted to move beyond the barricades. The police intervention was aimed at stopping the march from proceeding further towards the Assembly complex.
The protest also saw political activity, with several BJP leaders participating in demonstrations. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Babulal Marandi and BJP state president Aditya Sahu were among those reportedly detained while demonstrating outside Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s residence.
Protesters continue to press demands
The JPSC-JSSC controversy has become a major issue among job aspirants in Jharkhand, with protesters seeking greater accountability in the recruitment process.
Students have maintained that alleged irregularities must be investigated and that the recruitment system should be made more transparent. Their demand for a CBI investigation is also part of the broader campaign.
For the protesters, Monday’s march was an attempt to take their demands directly to the state legislature.
While police used water cannons to control the crowd and prevent the march from reaching the Assembly, the students’ decision to dance in the water created striking visuals from the protest.
The incident demonstrates how demonstrations can produce unexpected moments even amid confrontation between protesters and security personnel. However, the central issue remains the students’ demand for action over the alleged examination and recruitment irregularities.
