2 weeks ago
Jharkhand Students Accuse Administration of Withholding Hunger-Striker's Health Details
Many students and young people in the Indian state of Jharkhand are upset about government job exams.
They think the exams have problems and are not fair, so they have been protesting in the city of Ranchi for 20 days.
One of the protest leaders, Devendra Mahto, stopped eating food to show how serious the issue is.
He has not eaten for 12 days and became so weak that he had to go to the hospital.
The other protesters say the government is hiding how he is doing and will not let them visit him.
Mr. Mahto has written a letter asking to go back to the protest place.
The protesters want the exams to be more open and fair, and they want a special team to investigate.
The government and the students have talked many times, but they have not agreed yet.
Some big political parties are also arguing about the protests, and police used strong water hoses and tear gas during a march.
Students protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities in Jharkhand on Thursday accused the Ranchi district administration of deliberately withholding JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto's health details.
Mahto has been on hunger strike for 12 days and is undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after his health deteriorated on Monday.
Mahto wrote to the Ranchi civil surgeon on Wednesday night seeking permission to return to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Job aspirants have been demonstrating for 20 days demanding transparency, cancellation of several tests and a CBI probe or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Six rounds of talks with the government have failed, and police used batons, water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters marching to the Jharkhand assembly on Monday.
- Who
- Students and job aspirants in Ranchi, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto, JPSC-JSSC Abhyarthi Nyay Manch president Ramavtar Mahto, and the Ranchi district administration.
- What
- A 20-day-old protest over alleged recruitment examination irregularities, with protesters accusing the district administration of deliberately withholding hunger-striking leader Devendra Nath Mahto's health details and blocking access to him at Sadar Hospital.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand, including Sadar Hospital, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and the Jharkhand assembly.
- When
- Thursday, August 13; the protest is on its 20th day and Mahto's hunger strike its 12th day.
- Why
- Alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations, with demands for greater transparency, cancellation of several tests and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
Protesters, JLKM and Opposition
Administration and Ruling Side
Withholding of Mahto's health details
Protesters, JLKM and Opposition
Students, JLKM and JPSC-JSSC Abhyarthi Nyay Manch president Ramavtar Mahto accuse the Ranchi district administration of deliberately withholding health updates and cutting off access to Devendra Nath Mahto at Sadar Hospital to weaken the agitation.
Administration and Ruling Side
The administration's response is not detailed in the reports; Mahto remains hospitalised and under treatment at Sadar Hospital after his health deteriorated.
Politicisation of the agitation
Protesters, JLKM and Opposition
The BJP accused the Hemant Soren government of suppressing the student movement.
Administration and Ruling Side
The Congress accused the BJP of politicising the agitation and alleged that it brought workers from outside Jharkhand to disrupt the protests.
Demand for an independent probe
Protesters, JLKM and Opposition
Protesters and the JLKM demand an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand, with former chief minister Raghubar Das threatening a hunger strike if the demand is not met within a week.
Administration and Ruling Side
The government has not conceded to the demand; six rounds of talks with student representatives have failed to end the deadlock.
Key facts
- Protest duration
- 20 days (as of August 13)
- Hunger strike duration
- 12 days
- Hunger-striking leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto (JLKM), undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital, Ranchi
- Protest site
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Key demands
- Greater transparency in recruitment exams, cancellation of several tests, and a CBI probe or panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand
- Failed talks
- Six rounds between government and student representatives
- Police action on Monday
- Batons, water cannons and tear gas used to disperse protesters marching to the Jharkhand assembly
- Mahto's request
- Letter to Ranchi civil surgeon seeking permission to return to Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
Quotes
Unidentified protesting student
Student participant in the Jharkhand exam protests
““Why are the health details of JLKM leader Devendra Nath Mahto being kept under wraps after 12 days on fast, and why are we not allowed to meet him at Sadar Hospital?” one of the protesting students said.”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
telegraphindia.com
Devendra Nath Mahto
Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha leader on hunger strike
“Today, I wrote a letter to the civil surgeon seeking permission to go to the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the protest spot. My body is undergoing treatment on the hospital bed, but my soul is at the satyagraha site where students and youth are engaged in a just struggle for their future.”
deccanchronicle.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
J’khand: Agitating students accuse govt of withholding health info of Devendra Mahto to weaken stir
J'khand Exam Row: Protesters Accuse Govt of Withholding Mahto's Health Details
J’khand exam row: Protesters accuse govt of withholding health info of Devendra Mahto to weaken stir





