The standoff between the Jharkhand government and students protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations has intensified, with the agitation entering its 15th day on Saturday and Left-backed student organisation AISA setting up a separate platform at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.

The protesters have warned of a march to the Jharkhand Assembly on August 10 if the government fails to address their demands by Sunday. The latest developments came after talks between the state government and five student organisations failed to resolve the deadlock.

The agitation began on July 25 under the banner of the ‘JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch’, initially focusing on the results of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Preliminary Examination announced on July 5. Students have alleged large-scale irregularities in the examination and selection process and are demanding cancellation of the examination.

The protesters have also sought either a CBI investigation or a probe by a committee comprising retired High Court judges from outside Jharkhand. Over the past two weeks, however, their demands have broadened to include structural reforms and greater transparency in the functioning of both the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

The agitation has also taken a toll on some protesters. Six students are currently on an indefinite hunger strike. Rahul Kranti, who began fasting on August 4, was taken to hospital in an ambulance after his health deteriorated, according to PTI.

AISA joined the agitation on Saturday, establishing another platform at the stadium. AISA national president Neha Bora, who was allegedly targeted with ink during a march near Birsa Chowk on Friday, briefly joined the protest and raised slogans demanding cancellation of the 14th JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations.

The AISA's participation has taken the number of platforms at the stadium seeking action on the demands of job aspirants to three. The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch and JPSC-JSSC Candidates' Forum have been holding protests at the venue since July 25.

AISA leaders, however, said their presence at a separate platform did not signify a separate movement and maintained that they were part of the wider agitation.

"We may be fighting from separate platforms, but our demands are the same, including cancellation of the 14th JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations, ensuring transparency and fixing responsibility," AISA Ranchi president Vijay Kumar told PTI.

He said AISA members would join the larger group's protest march on August 10 without carrying the organisation's banner.

"We do not want the agitation to get weakened in any way. We are all fighting for a cause and will continue to do so," Kumar said.

Asked whether any student would go on a hunger strike, he said a decision in this regard would be taken later in the day.

The developments followed a march organised on Friday by AISA and the All India Students' Federation towards the Assembly in support of the protesting candidates. The march was briefly disrupted after Bora was allegedly targeted with ink near Birsa Chowk. She described the incident as an attempt to intimidate the student movement.

With the Assembly march now planned for August 10, pressure is mounting on the Hemant Soren government to respond to the students' demands. The protesters have indicated that the agitation will continue unless the government agrees to their demands on the recruitment examinations and broader reforms in the state's recruitment bodies.