New Delhi: A scene reminiscent of the student protests held in the national capital, Delhi, on July 20, 2026, is unfolding in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, this Monday. Protesting students are advancing following a call to lay siege to the Legislative Assembly. However, the police have taken a firm stand and halted the large crowd of students. When students in Ranchi attempted to forcibly break through the barricades, the police dispersed them using water cannons and a mild lathi-charge.
The situation escalated significantly. Students are still attempting to enter the Assembly from various routes, but the administration’s alertness has thwarted the protesters’ plans. In fact, students have been protesting for days against alleged irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC, and CGL examinations. Three rounds of talks have taken place between the government and the students so far, but they have yielded no results. The students had announced a foot march to the Assembly for Monday.
Police Stop Protesters
The Jharkhand government has been urging the agitating students not to lay siege to the Assembly, but the protesters remain unwilling to back down. Consequently, the government has instructed the police to stop the students using barricades. To this end, the police administration has installed barbed wire at various points along the route from Jaipal Singh Munda’s Morhabadi Ground to the Assembly. Section 163 of the BNS has also been imposed in the area stretching from the stadium to the Assembly. Additionally, CCTV cameras are being used for surveillance to ensure law and order is maintained.
Some Students Injured by Police Action
The police dispersed the students—who were adamant about breaking through the barricades by resorting to a lathi-charge. Speaking on the incident, a student named Vikram Kumar said, “Hemant Soren ji should not have done this. We were protesting peacefully. We did not use a single abusive word. Suddenly, the police lathi-charged us. This is not right. Some students have sustained injuries.
Some protesters reach the Legislative Assembly.
Meanwhile, the protesting students have breached six of the seven barricades set up for the Legislative Assembly and have reached the complex premises. If the seventh and final barricade is breached, they will enter the Assembly complex directly. However, every possible effort is being made to stop them; water cannons and tear gas shells are being used to hold the students back. Nevertheless, the protesters have surrounded the Assembly from all sides.
Additionally, Devendra Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike in support of the students’ demands, has joined the march to the Assembly. He has become quite weak due to the fast and is unable to walk; however, he is participating in the march from an ambulance. During the event, students lifted his stretcher and all onto their shoulders and welcomed him by showering flowers.
