Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Student Leader Mahto Alleges Police High-Handedness on Independence Day
Every year on Independence Day, people in India celebrate their country's freedom with flags and parades.
A student leader named Devendra Mahto wanted to join a march with the Indian flag called the Tiranga Yatra.
But he was in a hospital, and the police did not let him leave to join the march.
Mahto said the police pushed him around and hurt some of his friends.
He was on a hunger strike, which means he stopped eating food to protest.
He wanted the government to make job exams fair for students.
Many students in Jharkhand say the exams had problems and were not fair, and they want a new independent investigation.
Some people think the police were wrong to stop Mahto, while others say he should rest for his health instead of marching.
The government says it is working to make exams transparent and has started talking to students about their concerns.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto alleged police manhandled him and prevented him from joining an Independence Day Tiranga Yatra.
Mahto was admitted to Ranchi's Sadar Hospital on the 14th day of his indefinite hunger strike over recruitment exam irregularities.
The student agitation, on its 22nd day on Independence Day, demands transparency in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations and an independent probe.
Earlier this month, police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons when students marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly.
The incident sparked political debate, with Jharkhand Congress leader Kumar Raja defending the police action on health grounds while Mahto's supporters questioned it.
- Who
- Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, along with police personnel, government officials and student protesters in Ranchi.
- What
- Mahto alleged police high-handedness, saying he was forcibly stopped from leaving Sadar Hospital to participate in a peaceful Tiranga Yatra on Independence Day.
- When
- On Independence Day, which fell on a Sunday, marking the 14th day of Mahto's hunger strike and the 22nd day of the wider student agitation.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, mainly at Sadar Hospital and Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
- Why
- The incident is part of an ongoing student agitation demanding transparency in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC, and accountability for alleged irregularities.
Supporters of Mahto and Protesters
Government and Officials
Blocking Mahto from the Tiranga Yatra
Supporters of Mahto and Protesters
The freedom for which India's freedom fighters struggled should include the right of citizens to peacefully raise their voices and join a patriotic Tiranga March; stopping him was high-handed and painful.
Government and Officials
Mahto's medical condition should take priority over political considerations because he is under treatment in hospital, so preventing him from leaving was justified.
Handling of recruitment examinations
Supporters of Mahto and Protesters
Examinations by the JPSC and JSSC were allegedly compromised and should be cancelled, with an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Government and Officials
The government is working to ensure transparency in examinations and has launched 'Chhatron Ki Baat - Chhatron Ke Sath' to collect and address student concerns.
- Student leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto
- Location
- Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Hunger strike
- Began August 2; day 14 on Independence Day
- Day of agitation
- 22nd day on Independence Day
- Key demands
- Transparent exams, cancellation of allegedly compromised examinations, and an independent probe
- Examination bodies involved
- Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC)
- Government response
- CM Hemant Soren's 'Chhatron Ki Baat - Chhatron Ke Sath' initiative to gather student suggestions
- Political reaction
- Jharkhand Congress leader Kumar Raja defended stopping Mahto, citing his health