Jharkhand students protest day 16: CM Soren vows to deliver justice, warns of strict action against guilty— what we know

Published 9 August 2026 · politics

Jharkhand students protest: Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government was committed to protecting democracy and ensuring justice for young people protesting for their rights

Jharkhand students protest: Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the government was committed to protecting democracy and ensuring justice for young people protesting for their rights, as the aspirants’ stir against alleged irregularities in recruitment exams at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium entered its 16th day. Addressing the Adivasi Mahotsav, he said irregularities would be investigated and those found responsible would face strict action. “Youths agitating for their rights as govt committed to upholding democracy; we caught theft, will deliver justice. Committed to justice for protesting youth; those guilty of irregularities to face strictly action,” Soren stated, according to PTI. Soren urged protesting students to engage in dialogue, saying their grievances could be resolved through discussions. He also appealed to youths to avoid seeking political backing for their agitation and cautioned political parties and those with political ambitions against misleading them through misinformation. "The stir should not be politicised; I warn those harbouring political ambitions against misguiding youths," he said, adding, “I urge youths not to seek political patronage (for their stir); justice is your right.” The chief minister maintained that the students’ movement should not be given a political colour and assured protesters that the government would work transparently to address their concerns. The Jharkhand government resumed talks with protesting aspirants on Sunday in an effort to resolve the ongoing standoff over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. The latest round of discussions followed several meetings between government representatives and student groups on Friday night and Saturday, which failed to yield a breakthrough.

Devendra Nath Mahto and other protesters' health The health of student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike for nearly a week at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Stadium, deteriorated around 3 am. Doctors found his blood glucose level had dropped to 53. Another protester, Rahul Krantim, who is also on hunger strike, is being treated under medical supervision in the intensive care unit of Sadar Hospital. Also Read | Watch: Ink Attack On Student Leader Neha Bora During Jharkhand Protest March Six protesters are currently observing an indefinite hunger strike as part of the agitation. ‘CM has been silent, should have met students on 1st day of protest’: BJP Dumri MLA and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha chief Jairam Mahto also joined the protest, observing a day-long fast at the old Vidhan Sabha premises in solidarity with the students. Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, Jharkhand BJP president and Rajya Sabha MP Aditya Sahu, along with the party’s chief whip Naveen Jaiswal, met protesting students at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on Sunday morning. “The chief minister should have met the students on the very first day of the protest. But he has been silent. The government has adopted the Britishers' 'divide and rule' policy by inviting different organisations for talks, seeking their charter of demands,” PTI quoted Seth as saying. "There is no need for dialogue anymore. The students' demands are simple: cancelling the examination and probing the irregularities by the CBI," he added.