Police have registered a case against 600 protesters in Ranchi over a march towards the Jharkhand Assembly. The case includes 100 named protesters and 500 unidentified students and others. The action comes as students continue their protest against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations. The agitation has now entered its 20th day.

The students have refused to end their protest until the government addresses their demands. The protesters are seeking greater transparency in recruitment examinations, cancellation of several tests and an independent investigation into the alleged irregularities. They want either a CBI probe or an inquiry by a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.

The protest is being led by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. The group has been demonstrating at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. The students have raised concerns over the conduct of recruitment examinations and have demanded reforms to make the process more transparent and reliable.

Tensions increased when the protesters marched towards the Assembly. Security personnel used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. The police action later led the BJP to call a statewide bandh in Jharkhand. The incident has since become a major political issue, with the opposition accusing the state government of trying to suppress the students' movement.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Raghubar Das has also stepped up pressure on the government. On Wednesday, Das threatened to begin a hunger strike if the demand for a CBI investigation was not accepted within a week. He has also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of each of the 19 people who died during the 2024 excise constable physical examination.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has announced protests at more than 1,200 universities over the issue. ABVP leaders have also questioned the credibility of the Special Investigation Team appointed by the state government. They pointed to repeated changes in the composition of the SIT while raising doubts over its investigation into the alleged examination irregularities.

The BJP has accused the Hemant Soren government of suppressing the students' agitation. The Congress has rejected the allegation and accused the BJP of using the students' protest for political purposes. The Congress also claimed that the BJP brought workers from outside Jharkhand to disrupt the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto continues to support the student movement despite his deteriorating health. Mahto has been on a hunger strike and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital. He has sought permission from the Ranchi civil surgeon to return to the protest site. Speaking about his continued association with the agitation, Mahto said his "soul" remained with the students' movement.

Four students who were also on hunger strike are receiving treatment at a hospital. Their health has added to concerns over the prolonged nature of the protest. The agitation has continued despite several attempts by the government to resolve the dispute.

The government and student representatives have already held six rounds of talks. None of the meetings could end the deadlock. The students have continued to press for action on their demands, including the cancellation of examinations and an independent investigation.

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has maintained that his government is committed to reforming the recruitment examination system. He has assured the protesters that the 14th JPSC examination will be cancelled. At the same time, Soren has accused the BJP of using the students' agitation for political gains.

The latest FIR against 600 protesters has added another point of contention between the government and the protesting students. With the students refusing to withdraw their agitation and political parties continuing to intervene, the recruitment examination dispute remains unresolved. The protesters are demanding concrete action before they call off their 20-day-old movement.