RANCHI: Mohammad Junaid Malik, a Ghaziabad resident who had distributed free food and drinking water during CJP protesters at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has now reached Jharkhand to serve meals to students and job aspirants demonstrating over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in the state.As per news agency PTI, Junaid has vowed to stand firmly with the agitating students, who have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) Civil Services Examination.The protesters have also sought an independent probe into the alleged irregularities, either by the CBI or by a panel of retired high court judges from outside Jharkhand. They are also demanding comprehensive reforms in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).“We made arrangements for breakfast and were trying to ensure proper food and other essential amenities for protesters here. This is a collective effort. It is not something that Junaid alone is doing,” said the 30-year-old, who had earlier volunteered at the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest against the alleged NEET paper leak in New Delhi.“Our entire team from Delhi is here, and more people are expected to join us today. We will serve veg Biryani in the evening,” he said.Junaid said volunteers would “stand with the students in their struggle until they get justice.”“We support every one of them and will remain by their side,” he added.He also appealed to the Hemant Soren government to engage with the students and address their demands.“It is raining, and water has accumulated at the protest site. There is a risk of mosquito breeding, which could lead to the spread of diseases. This is a crucial time for these students to focus on their studies. Why are they being forced to spend that valuable time here instead?” Junaid asked.According to PTI, the protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations entered its 14th day on Friday, with six protesters continuing their indefinite hunger strike.The protesters said they had been forced to resort to the hunger strike after repeated appeals to the government “failed” to produce any concrete action.Five protesters, including two women, joined Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto in the indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night. Mahto has been on the fast for the past six days.The protest began on July 25 under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi and has emerged as one of Jharkhand’s biggest student-led movements in recent years, PTI reported.(With agency inputs)
