Ranchi, August 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC recruitment examinations, has reaffirmed his resolve to continue the agitation despite his deteriorating health.
Mahto, currently undergoing treatment at Ranchi’s Sadar Hospital, issued a handwritten message from his hospital bed on Tuesday, saying his fast-unto-death would continue. He said his physical condition may be weakening, but his determination to seek justice and expose alleged irregularities in the recruitment process remained unchanged.
The student leader said the ‘JPSC-JSSC Corruption-Free Recruitment Campaign’, launched on July 5, had consistently raised concerns over alleged corruption and irregularities in recruitment examinations.
He thanked students, teachers, parents, media personnel and others for their support in making the August 10 Assembly gherao programme successful.
Mahto also demanded an impartial inquiry into the police action during the protest. He alleged that excessive force was used against demonstrators and claimed that he was taken in an ambulance to a location where nearly 100 students were gathered peacefully.
According to Mahto, police personnel initially pushed the protesters and later resorted to a lathicharge without issuing any prior warning. He was subsequently taken to Sadar Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment.
Questioning the circumstances of the police action, Mahto asked why he and other students were brought to the spot if authorities had intended to use force against the protesters. He said the students deserved an explanation for what happened.
Describing the alleged lathicharge as unfortunate and condemnable, Mahto said students were exercising their democratic right to protest. He called on the state government to conduct a fair investigation and take appropriate action against those found responsible.
He further said coercive measures and lathicharges could not suppress students’ voices. Emphasising that the campaign was based on constitutional and democratic principles, Mahto appealed to students and young people to continue their movement peacefully.
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