On August 12, the hunger strike by Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto reaches its eleventh day. His protest continues even after a recent hospitalisation, highlighting the urgency of his demands related to alleged irregularities in recruitment exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Currently, Mahto is receiving treatment at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi. His protest escalated following the ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march on August 10, where student leaders expressed their concerns regarding the handling of the situation by the authorities. Mahto’s primary aim is to advocate for the rights of thousands of students who are reportedly affected by these irregularities.

Protests Intensify as Students Rally for Their Demands

The atmosphere surrounding the student protests has become increasingly tense. Demonstrators at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium assert that they will initiate a larger mass movement if their demands are not addressed. On August 10, approximately 50,000 students participated in the protest march in Ranchi despite alleged police attempts to prevent them from participating.

Student leader Ravindra Paswan reported that the march was largely peaceful until around 5 pm, after which the police allegedly changed their approach. He described a chaotic scene where police used batons in an effort to disperse the crowd, an action Paswan attributes to possible external pressure on law enforcement.

The students feel their right to protest is being undermined, and allegations of police violence have led to greater outrage among the demonstrators. Paswan further emphasised that the police should have handled the situation with more care, noting the absence of female personnel during the dispersal attempt, which he claimed further exacerbated the tension.

Calls for Government Action and Potential Escalation

Amidst rising tensions, student leader Piyush Kumar condemned the administration’s response to the protests. He claimed that both students and media personnel were subjected to police violence and insisted that the government needs to engage constructively with the protesters.

Kumar confirmed that the administration had previously shown willingness to communicate. However, he lamented that the approach had shifted dramatically, resulting in a strong reaction from police forces. The students remain open to discussions, but insist that any talks should not coincide with violent tactics from law enforcement.

The students demand cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination as well as a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged recruitment irregularities. They are also advocating for systematic reforms in the recruitment process to ensure future transparency and fairness.

Paswan made an appeal to the Chief Minister, urging the government to address their grievances swiftly to avoid further escalation of the protests. The students are prepared to escalate their actions, developing concrete strategies should their demands remain unmet. According to Paswan, failure to address these issues could result in a transformation of the current protest into a mass movement, reflecting the deep frustrations felt by students across the state.

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