Jharkhand Students' protest: Who is Devendra Nath Mahto and what is his hunger strike about?
Jharkhand Students' protest: Five people, including two women, have begun an indefinite hunger strike by students in Ranchi as the protest against alleged irregularities in
Jharkhand Students' protest: Five people, including two women, have begun an indefinite hunger strike by students in Ranchi as the protest against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Assembly that begins on Thursday, 6 August. With these five protesters sitting on a hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi under the JPSC, JSSC Reforms Manch, the number of people on such a protest has risen to six. Also Read | CJP meeting today after historic Jantar Mantar protest: What to expect Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha member Devendra Nath Mahto, at the same venue, entered the fourth day on Wednesday. The agitation, which began days after the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)-led student protest in Delhi was called off, is taking place at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium since July 29. For the past 10 days, both the factions have been demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission examination, reforms in the commission as well as in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. Protesters have alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC Civil Services Examination. They are also demanding an inquiry into exam irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state. View full Image View full Image Ranchi: Job aspirants and students gather during a march to protest against the state government over alleged paper leaks and irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations, in Ranchi, Jharkhand, Tuesday, Aug.
4, 2026. (PTI Photo)(PTI08_04_2026_000566A) (PTI) The ongoing stir escalated on Tuesday after five more students joined the hunger strike to press their demands.The hunger strike began after the students’ agitation. The protest gained even more prominence recently with CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke lending support to students. What did Hemant Soren say? Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was serious about the concerns raised by the protesting job aspirants and a decision would be taken at an appropriate time. "With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," Soren had told reporters in Ranchi. Jharkhand Police's CID has so far arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged irregularities, while the JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, scheduled from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances" amid mounting protests. The CID has also questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte four times since July 28 and raided 18 locations across Ranchi, Palamu, Hazaribagh, Bokaro and Dhanbad as part of its probe into the alleged recruitment irregularities. Who is Devendra Nath Mahto? Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has emerged as the face of the protest. Mahto's hunger strike is being compared to the one by Sonam Wangchuk during nationwide NEET protests. Mahto is a student activist from Ranchi. He completed his schooling in Bundu before pursuing higher education at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University in Ranchi.
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