Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Protest Leader Stopped From Tiranga Yatra Amid Exam Ire
Many young people in the Indian state of Jharkhand were upset because they believed the tests for government jobs were not fair.
They started a big protest and asked the government to fix the problem.
One of their leaders, Devendra Nath Mahto, stopped eating to show how serious he was.
On August 15, the day India celebrates becoming independent, the students planned a special march carrying the Indian flag.
Mahto tried to join them, but police stopped him at the hospital and pulled him back into his room.
A video of this spread online, and many people were angry about it.
Mahto said people should be free to carry the Tricolour in their own country.
Jharkhand's Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, promised that exams would be made fair and honest.
The Governor also said cheating in exams was not acceptable.
Even though everyone wanted fair exams, the protesters and the government did not agree on how to fix the problem.
JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, on the 14th day of his hunger strike, was allegedly stopped by police from leaving Ranchi's Sadar Hospital to join the Tiranga Yatra on India's 80th Independence Day.
Video showed police dragging Mahto into his hospital room as he struggled to leave; Mahto said he had given an undertaking to leave on his own responsibility.
Thousands of job aspirants marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk waving the Tricolour and raising slogans such as 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai' and 'Vande Mataram'.
Protesting under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch banner, they demand transparency in recruitment exams, cancellation of several tests, and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren promised transparent examinations and expedited JPSC-JSSC appointments, while Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar called exam malpractices 'unacceptable.'
- Who
- JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, student leader Ravinder Paswan, and thousands of student job aspirants in Ranchi.
- What
- Police allegedly stopped Mahto from leaving Sadar Hospital to join a Tiranga Yatra, part of ongoing protests over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment exams.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026, India's 80th Independence Day; the 22nd day of the student agitation and the 14th day of Mahto's hunger strike, which began on August 2.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, including Sadar Hospital, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, and Albert Ekka Chowk.
- Why
- Job aspirants are protesting alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the JPSC and JSSC, demanding transparency, cancellation of tests, and an independent probe.
Protesters and their supporters
Jharkhand government and officials
Handling of exam irregularities
Protesters and their supporters
Protesters demand greater transparency, cancellation of several tests, and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Jharkhand government and officials
CM Soren promised transparent examinations, changes in the system, and expedited JPSC-JSSC appointments; Governor Gangwar said malpractices are 'unacceptable.'
Meaning of freedom on Independence Day
Protesters and their supporters
Mahto asked: 'What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in the Tiranga March in our own country?'
Jharkhand government and officials
CM Soren said freedom means every child receives a good education, every young person gets dignified employment, and everyone lives with equal opportunity, dignity and justice.
- Protest leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto (Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha)
- Hunger strike
- 14 days (began August 2, 2026)
- Agitation day
- 22nd day
- Occasion
- 80th Independence Day, August 15, 2026
- March route
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk, Ranchi
- Protesters' demands
- Transparency, cancellation of several tests, CBI or retired judges' panel probe from outside Jharkhand
- Organising banner
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch
- Government response
- CM vows transparent exams and expedited JPSC-JSSC appointments; Governor calls malpractices unacceptable
Sources
Jharkhand student leader on hunger strike stopped from joining Tiranga Yatra
Video: Drama At Hospital As Jharkhand Protest Leader Stopped From Joining Tiranga Yatra
Jharkhand: On Hunger-Strike, Devendra Nath Mahto Stopped From Attending Tiranga Yatra In Ranchi | Video
Jharkhand exam protests leader claims stopped from joining Tiranga Yatra