3 weeks ago
Hunger-Striking Leader Hospitalized After Jharkhand Assembly Protest
A student leader named Devendra Nath Mahto is very upset.
He and many other students think their government job exams in Jharkhand were not fair.
They want the Central Bureau of Investigation, or CBI, to look into it.
Mahto stopped eating for nine days to show how serious he is.
He led a big march to the state assembly building in Ranchi, even though he was weak and later had to go to the hospital.
The police put up sharp barbed-wire barriers and used water cannons, tear gas and batons to stop the crowd.
Mahto said the wires made him very angry, and he asked if they came from another country.
The government says it has already agreed to most of the students' demands, but the students say the remaining demands, like cancelling an exam and a CBI probe, are very important.
Some leaders have criticised the police, and another agency called the Enforcement Directorate is also looking into the exams.
Devendra Nath Mahto, a Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader on a nine-day hunger strike, was admitted to Sadar Hospital in Ranchi after leading a 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.
Police used lathicharge, tear gas shells and water cannons on Monday evening to disperse protesters, with Ranchi City SP Paras Rana alleging that a section of demonstrators damaged barricades and pelted stones.
Protesters are demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and comprehensive reforms in the recruitment process.
Mahto said the barbed-wire barricades 'filled me with anger,' and rejected the government's claim of having conceded 98 percent of demands, saying the remaining 'two per cent can bring down the government's chair.'
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi backed the protesters and alleged job-selling and rigging in JSSC-CGL, PGT and JPSC exams; Union Minister Sanjay Seth and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the police action, and the Enforcement Directorate registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over alleged JPSC irregularities.
- Who
- Devendra Nath Mahto, a Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader on a nine-day hunger strike, along with job aspirants and students in Jharkhand; supported by Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi.
- What
- A 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly demanding a CBI probe into alleged recruitment exam irregularities, cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and recruitment reforms; Mahto was later admitted to Sadar Hospital, and police dispersed protesters using force.
- Where
- Ranchi, Jharkhand — from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, with Mahto treated afterward at Sadar Hospital.
- When
- Monday, marking the ninth day of Mahto's hunger strike.
- Why
- Protesters allege irregularities, job-selling and rigging in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations and say the state government has not conceded key demands, including a CBI probe and cancellation of the CGL examination.
Protesters' Stand
Government and Police Position
Concession of Demands
Protesters' Stand
Protesters reject the government's claim of having conceded 98 percent of their demands, with Mahto saying the remaining 'two per cent can bring down the government's chair' and accusing the government of trying to 'mislead' students.
Government and Police Position
The state government claims it has already conceded 98 percent of the protesters' demands.
Use of Force at Assembly
Protesters' Stand
Protesters, Union Minister Sanjay Seth and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemn the lathicharge, tear gas, water cannons and barbed-wire barricades used against peaceful demonstrators.
Government and Police Position
Police say most students were peaceful but that a section of protesters damaged barricades and pelted stones, prompting the dispersal action.
CBI Probe and Exam Cancellation
Protesters' Stand
Protesters and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi say the government is stalling and demand an immediate CBI investigation and cancellation of the CGL examination over alleged job-selling and rigging in JPSC and JSSC exams.
Government and Police Position
The government has not accepted the CBI probe and cancellation demands, maintaining that most of the protesters' demands have already been conceded.
Key facts
- Protest Leader
- Devendra Nath Mahto
- Political Affiliation
- Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM)
- Hunger Strike
- 9 days at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium as of Monday
- Hospital
- Sadar Hospital, Ranchi
- Key Demands
- CBI probe into JPSC/JSSC exam irregularities; cancellation of JSSC-CGL exam; recruitment process reforms
- Government's Claim
- Conceded 98 percent of protesters' demands
- Police Action
- Lathicharge, tear gas shells and water cannons on Monday evening
- Related Investigation
- Enforcement Directorate's ECIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act over alleged JPSC irregularities
Quotes
Devendra Nath Mahto
Student leader and hunger striker, member of JLKM
“"I have become very weak from within, but seeing these barbed wires has filled me with anger."”
freepressjournal.in
Protester
Unidentified student protester in Ranchi
“"We will face the batons; we will fight for our rights. We have been sitting here in protest."”
republicworld.com
Sources
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