2 weeks ago

Jharkhand Students Accuse Administration of Withholding Hunger-Striker's Health Details

Jharkhand Students Accuse Administration of Withholding Hunger-Striker's Health Details
J'khand Exam Row: Protesters Accuse Govt of Withholding Mahto's Health Details · deccanchronicle.com

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.

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

Related news