Jharkhand student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto joined thousands of students marching towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi on August 10, despite his deteriorating health after nine days of an indefinite hunger strike. Mahto arrived at the protest in an ambulance after reportedly losing around 10.5 kg, with his blood sugar falling to 53, before joining the demonstrators.
The 17-day-old agitation centres on alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), with students demanding cancellation of disputed examinations and an independent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
The government has maintained that it has addressed most of the protesters’ demands and has proposed investigations through state agencies and a judicially headed mechanism, but the two sides remain divided over the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and the demand for a CBI probe. The latest march followed several rounds of inconclusive talks and came amid heightened concern over Mahto’s health.
Why Mahto Took The Ambulance
Mahto began his indefinite hunger strike on August 2 at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students had gathered over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations. By August 10, his fast had entered its ninth day and his condition had reportedly worsened significantly, with a reported 10.5-kg weight loss and blood sugar at 53.
Despite concerns over his health, he declined to abandon the protest and travelled to the Assembly march in an ambulance. He later joined the students, who had gathered in large numbers to press their demands. The decision was a striking escalation in an agitation that began with a satyagraha and gradually moved towards a direct confrontation over the functioning of the state’s recruitment bodies.
Mahto has repeatedly appealed for the demonstrations to remain peaceful, while telling supporters that the students’ demands should be heard through democratic means.
His hunger strike had already drawn wider attention after activist Sonam Wangchuk appealed to him to take water; Mahto subsequently drank water but made clear that he intended to continue the agitation. Chief Minister Hemant Soren had earlier said that his government was committed to ensuring justice for the students.
Why Students Are Demanding A Probe
The agitation has its immediate roots in allegations surrounding the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and other recruitment tests conducted through JPSC and JSSC. Candidates have raised questions about the transparency of the examination process and alleged discrepancies, while demanding cancellation of disputed examinations, an independent investigation and reforms in the recruitment system.
The controversy gained further momentum after the state CID began investigating alleged irregularities linked to JPSC examinations. Former JPSC chairperson L Khiangte resigned in July, saying he had voluntarily stepped down to facilitate an impartial investigation; the CID subsequently questioned him for several hours.
The agency has also conducted searches and made arrests in connection with the case, while JPSC postponed its Combined Civil Services Main Examination and other examinations amid the controversy. The students, however, say an investigation alone is not enough and have demanded cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI probe.
The government has taken a different position on the CGL demand, arguing that cancelling an examination after appointments and other processes have progressed would create complications. It has instead indicated that the allegations can be examined through available investigative and judicial mechanisms.
The dispute therefore goes beyond one examination: at its core is a growing demand from aspirants for transparency, accountability and confidence that years of preparation for government jobs will not be undermined by alleged irregularities.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Jharkhand students’ protest highlights a concern that extends far beyond one state or one recruitment examination: young people need to believe that public examinations are fair, transparent and worthy of their years of hard work. Allegations of irregularities must be investigated thoroughly and impartially, while genuine grievances deserve to be heard without dismissing them as political agitation.
At the same time, a protest involving thousands of young people must remain peaceful, and authorities have a responsibility to protect both public order and the safety and dignity of demonstrators. Mahto’s decision to continue a hunger strike despite his deteriorating health also underlines the urgency of finding a constructive resolution rather than allowing a disagreement over examinations to become a confrontation over people’s lives and health.
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