Ranchi/New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Thursday warned that he would seek permission from his party to join the ongoing students’ agitation in Jharkhand and undertake a hunger strike if the state government fails to take concrete action on alleged examination paper leaks and recruitment irregularities by August 13.
Dubey, a four-time Lok Sabha member from Godda, issued the warning through a post on X, saying that he would join the students’ movement if the government failed to address their concerns while the Monsoon Session of Parliament is still underway.
The BJP MP questioned how long students in Jharkhand would have to face uncertainty over alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). He also questioned when the Hemant Soren-led state government would respond to the demands being raised by the protesting students.
The statement comes amid a prolonged student agitation at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi. Protesters have alleged irregularities in several recruitment examinations and are demanding an independent investigation, cancellation of examinations affected by alleged malpractice and comprehensive reforms to ensure transparency in the recruitment process.
The students have specifically demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities in JPSC, JSSC and other recruitment examinations. They are also seeking action against those found responsible and stronger safeguards to prevent paper leaks and other forms of malpractice in future examinations.
The agitation has extended beyond Jharkhand, with students from the state also staging protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. Several protesters have reportedly been observing hunger strikes for nearly two weeks, increasing pressure on both the state and Central governments to intervene.
Dubey’s intervention has added a political dimension to the ongoing movement. His warning to join the protest could further intensify pressure on the Jharkhand government, particularly as Parliament’s Monsoon Session remains in progress.
On Thursday, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also raised the issue in the broader political context, urging Opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, to allow Parliament to function. He argued that this would enable Union Home Minister Amit Shah to address issues being raised by the Opposition.
Prasad also criticised Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of adopting a different approach towards student protests over alleged examination irregularities in Jharkhand.
Meanwhile, the students have welcomed the prospect of political intervention, hoping that sustained pressure will lead to a resolution of their long-standing grievances. The administration’s willingness to engage with the protesters has also resulted in a significant development, with the agitating students formally announcing a delegation to participate in proposed talks with the state government.
The coming days are expected to be crucial for the agitation. With August 13 emerging as the deadline set by Dubey, attention is now focused on whether the Jharkhand government will announce concrete measures on the students’ demands.
If no substantive decision is taken, Dubey’s proposed participation in the agitation and hunger strike could further escalate the confrontation and bring the issue of examination integrity and recruitment transparency into sharper political focus.
