Jharkhand Student Protest: Hunger Strike Continues as Leader Accepts Water on Day Four

Ranchi, August 5: In the ongoing student protests against alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission recruitment exams, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike, accepted water on the fourth day of his fast. He made this decision after a video call with renowned innovator Sonam Wangchuk, who encouraged him to hydrate.

However, Mahto clarified that the hunger strike and satyagraha will continue as planned. He expressed gratitude for Wangchuk’s support and guidance, urging him to visit Ranchi to boost the morale of the protesting students.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Hemant Soren responded to the protests for the first time on Tuesday. He assured that his government is sensitive to the issue and that justice will be served to the students. Soren stated that the government is taking the matter seriously and will make appropriate decisions within constitutional limits after receiving reports from investigative agencies. He remarked, “We will not rest until we resolve the issues we are addressing.”

Students have been protesting for 12 days, demanding the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Exam, a CBI investigation into alleged discrepancies in various recruitment exams including JPSC and JSSC-CGL, the public release of OMR sheets and answer scripts, and comprehensive reforms in the recruitment commissions.

A faction of the protesters has already announced that if their demands are not met soon, they will surround the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6. In the meantime, the CID, which is investigating the alleged exam irregularities, has conducted raids in various districts, seizing laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of OMR sheets, and other crucial materials. The investigation is ongoing.

The opposition continues to attack the government on this issue. Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi and several BJP leaders have demanded a CBI inquiry into the entire matter, action against the guilty officials, and immediate acceptance of the students’ demands.