The recent deaths of 12 candidates during the physical tests for the Jharkhand Excise Constable Competition Exam have starkly revealed critical flaws in the Hemant Soren-led government’s governance and administrative capabilities. What should have been a promising opportunity for the state's youth has tragically exposed severe mismanagement and negligence. The incident has drawn significant criticism from opposition parties, particularly the BJP, which has accused the JMM-led government of endangering lives through reckless oversight. As elections approach, growing dissatisfaction among the youth over Hemant Soren's failure to deliver on employment promises is intensifying.
The Fatal Incident
Since the recruitment drive commenced on August 22, 2024, 12 candidates have tragically lost their lives while undergoing the rigorous physical tests. These fatalities occurred across multiple districts: four in Palamu, two each in Giridih and Hazaribagh, and one each in Ranchi, East Singhbhum, and Sahibganj. Additionally, over 100 candidates fainted and required hospitalisation, highlighting the gross inadequacy of safety measures put in place by the state government.
This devastating loss of life has prompted widespread outrage, with many questioning the judgement and competence of the Soren administration in overseeing such a critical process. The government's failure to ensure basic safety for candidates has not only shattered the hopes of thousands of job-seekers but also tarnished the image of the administration.
The Soren administration's response to this tragedy has been woefully inadequate. Rather than addressing the immediate health risks posed to candidates, the government has been more concerned with maintaining procedural compliance. The administration's claimed safety measures-such as conducting tests in the early morning to avoid extreme heat and providing medical assistance at test centres-have proven to be superficial and grossly insufficient.
Political Accusations and the Government's DefenceThe tragedy has rightfully ignited a political firestorm. The BJP has been particularly vocal in its criticism, accusing the JMM-led government of pushing job seekers to death. BJP leaders have demanded compensation and government jobs for the families of the victims, calling the recruitment drive a 'race of death' and pointing to the administration's mismanagement and stubbornness.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who is also the Jharkhand BJP Assembly Election co-incharge, has announced that the BJP will urge the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to probe the deaths. Sarma demanded that the Hemant Soren government provide Rs 50 lakh and a job to each of the kin of the aspirants who lost their lives. He warned that if the government fails to do so, the BJP will provide jobs to the victims' families after coming to power in Jharkhand.
With elections on the horizon, a growing chorus of young voices is emerging, expressing their discontent with Hemant Soren over his unfulfilled promises regarding job creation. The tragic events surrounding the Jharkhand Excise Constable recruitment process reveal deep systemic flaws in how such initiatives are managed under the Hemant Soren government. The administration's failure to prioritise the safety and well-being of candidates demonstrates a shocking lack of foresight and a disregard for human life.
The government's actions appear more reactive than preventive, suggesting a lack of genuine commitment to candidate safety. The lives lost during this recruitment drive are a grim reminder of the consequences of administrative negligence and the urgent need for systemic reform. As the BJP has pointed out, the government's failure to act decisively in this matter is not just a lapse in governance but a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the people of Jharkhand.