Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Jharkhand govt panel urges hunger-striking exam protester to end fast
Some people in Jharkhand, a state in India, are very upset.
They think a government job exam was not fair, so they have been protesting for 16 days.
One protester, Devendra Nath Mahto, stopped eating food eight days ago to show how serious he is.
The government made a special group of ministers to talk to the protesters.
On Sunday, the ministers spoke to Mahto on a video call and asked him to eat again.
Mahto's body got weak, and doctors found his blood sugar was low.
Mahto said he will only stop his hunger strike after other protest leaders finish their meeting.
The protesters want the government to give them all the things they are asking for.
If the government does not say yes by Sunday, the protesters plan to walk to the Assembly building on Monday.
The government says it is working on the problem and hopes to solve it soon.
The Jharkhand government's committee talked to Devendra Nath Mahto by video call and urged him to end his eight-day hunger strike over alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
Mahto's health deteriorated around 3 am on Sunday, with doctors finding his blood glucose level was low.
Mahto said he would decide on ending the fast only after the protesters' delegates returned from the panel meeting.
Sunday's talks were the sixth round on the 16th day of protests, with a prominent student faction calling the government move 'political manoeuvring'.
Protesters announced a march to the Assembly on August 10 if the government fails to meet their demands by Sunday.
- Who
- Protesting student aspirants in Jharkhand, including hunger-striking student leader Devendra Nath Mahto and groups such as JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha and Adivasi Chhatra Sangh, along with government panel ministers Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh.
- What
- The Jharkhand government's committee talked to hunger-striking protester Devendra Nath Mahto by video call in the sixth round of talks over alleged recruitment exam irregularities, urging him to end his fast; protesters plan a march to the Assembly on August 10 if demands are unmet.
- When
- Sunday, August 9, the 16th day of protests; Mahto has been on hunger strike for eight days.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, India; Mahto was receiving treatment at Jaipal Singh Stadium.
- Why
- Protesters allege irregularities in recruitment exams, including an alleged JPSC paper leak, and demand that all their demands be fulfilled.
Protesters
Jharkhand government
Purpose of the talks
Protesters
A prominent student faction termed the Hemant Soren dispensation's move 'political manoeuvring' rather than a genuine effort to resolve the issue.
Jharkhand government
The government panel said talks were underway and assured the issue would be resolved during the day.
Ending the hunger strike
Protesters
Mahto said he would decide on ending his fast only after the protesters' delegates returned from the panel meeting, and the agitation will continue until all demands are fulfilled.
Jharkhand government
Panel ministers Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh urged Mahto to end the fast, citing his deteriorating health and low blood glucose levels.
- State
- Jharkhand, India
- Protest duration
- 16 days (as of August 9)
- Hunger strike
- 8 days by Devendra Nath Mahto
- Round of talks
- Sixth round on Sunday, August 9
- Panel members
- Ministers Sudivya Kumar and Dipika Pandey Singh
- Student groups involved
- JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, NSUI, Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha, Adivasi Chhatra Sangh
- Allegation
- Recruitment exam irregularities; alleged JPSC paper leak
- Planned action
- March to the Assembly on August 10 if demands unmet by Sunday
