Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Jharkhand Student Leader Devendra Mahto Seeks Return to Protest Site
A student leader named Devendra Nath Mahto in Jharkhand is very upset.
He believes government job exams were unfair.
So he stopped eating as a protest.
He has not eaten for 11 days.
On August 10, police used sticks and water cannons to stop a student march toward the state assembly.
Mahto got hurt and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Now he is asking the hospital to let him go back to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
He says being away from the other protesters hurts him more than his injuries.
He promises to follow all the doctors' instructions.
He says the strike will continue until complete justice is achieved.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 11 days over alleged corruption and irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) examinations.
On August 12, 2026, Mahto formally applied to the Sadar Hospital authorities for permission to return to the protest site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
Mahto was hospitalized on August 10, 2026, after Jharkhand Police used lathis and water cannons during the aspirants' 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march toward the Legislative Assembly.
In his handwritten application to the Civil Surgeon, Mahto said being away from his fellow protesters causes him more distress than his physical ailments.
Protesting aspirants demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination, a CBI probe into alleged irregularities, and reforms in the recruitment process.
- Who
- Devendra Nath Mahto, a Jharkhand student leader on indefinite hunger strike, along with thousands of JPSC and JSSC exam aspirants
- What
- Mahto, hospitalized after a police lathi-charge, formally sought permission from the Civil Surgeon to leave Sadar Hospital and rejoin the protest at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
- When
- August 12, 2026 — the 11th day of the hunger strike; police action and hospitalization occurred on August 10, 2026
- Where
- Sadar Hospital and Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand
- Why
- To continue the protest demanding justice over alleged corruption and irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL recruitment examinations
Protesting Students
State Administration and Police
Examination irregularities and demands
Protesting Students
Aspirants allege corruption and irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations and demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL exam, a CBI probe, and reforms in the recruitment process.
State Administration and Police
The state government has not fully accepted the protesters' demands, and the administration and police acted to contain the protest.
Handling of the protest march
Protesting Students
Police used lathis and water cannons against thousands of aspirants during the 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march, and Mahto was injured and admitted to Sadar Hospital.
State Administration and Police
Police used force to disperse thousands of aspirants who had marched toward the state assembly, and the administration moved Mahto to the hospital for treatment.
- Striking leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto
- Hunger strike
- Indefinite; 11th day as of August 12, 2026
- Protest site
- Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, Ranchi
- Hospital
- Sadar Hospital, Ranchi
- Reason for protest
- Alleged corruption and irregularities in JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations
- Police action
- Lathi-charge, scuffle and water cannons by Jharkhand Police during the 'Vidhan Sabha gherao' march on August 10, 2026
- Protesters' demands
- Cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam, CBI probe into alleged irregularities, and recruitment process reforms
- Mahto's request
- Permission from the Civil Surgeon to return to the Satyagraha site at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium
