Jharkhand Student Protest: Devendra Nath Mahato Ends Hunger Strike After Sonam Wangchuk’s Appeal, Agitation Over Exam Irregularities Continues

The Jharkhand Student Protest took a significant turn on Wednesday after student leader Devendra Nath Mahato ended his four-day hunger strike following an emotional video conversation with social activist Sonam Wangchuk. While Mahato agreed to call off his fast due to health concerns, the larger movement demanding accountability in state recruitment examinations remains active.

The protest, centred in Ranchi, has become one of the biggest student-led movements in Jharkhand in recent months. Aspirants preparing for government jobs have alleged serious irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), raising questions about transparency and fairness in the selection process.

According to those leading the agitation, students have been demonstrating peacefully since late July, demanding cancellation of disputed examinations, institutional reforms and an independent investigation into alleged paper leaks and recruitment irregularities.

Sonam Wangchuk Urges Mahato to Protect His Health

Mahato, who had reportedly stopped consuming both food and water for four days, received a video call from Sonam Wangchuk, who expressed concern over his deteriorating health while extending support to the students’ cause.

During the conversation, Wangchuk urged Mahato to prioritise his health, saying that continuing without water could put his life at serious risk. He encouraged the student leader to continue the movement through peaceful and democratic means rather than risking permanent harm.

Following the appeal, Mahato agreed to end his hunger strike. Before taking that decision, he had reportedly informed fellow protesters that doctors had warned him about worsening health conditions if he continued without water.

Protest Movement Continues Despite End of Fast

Although Mahato has ended his personal fast, student organisations clarified that the agitation itself is far from over.

Groups representing government job aspirants said their demands remain unchanged. Protesters continue to seek:

• Cancellation of the disputed JPSC examination.
• Structural reforms within JPSC and JSSC.
• An independent probe into alleged examination irregularities.
• Greater transparency in future recruitment processes.

Several students remain involved in demonstrations, with organisers planning additional peaceful programmes to keep public attention focused on the issue.

Why Students Are Protesting

The movement has grown after repeated allegations of question paper leaks, recruitment delays and procedural lapses in competitive examinations conducted over recent years.

Student representatives argue that repeated controversies have damaged confidence in the state’s recruitment system and affected thousands of candidates who have spent years preparing for government jobs.

Officials have already taken action in connection with the ongoing investigation. Police have arrested several individuals as part of the probe, while the JPSC earlier postponed its Combined Civil Services Mains Examination citing unavoidable circumstances.

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Jharkhand Government Responds

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has acknowledged the concerns raised by job aspirants and stated that the government is examining the matter carefully.

He indicated that appropriate decisions would be announced after reviewing the demands and available evidence. However, no formal announcement regarding cancellation of examinations or a fresh recruitment process has yet been made.

Students say they will continue peaceful demonstrations until concrete action is announced.

CJP Announces Support for Student Movement

The ongoing protest has also received support from Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, who recently reiterated his organisation’s intention to stand with student movements across India.

Speaking during a strategy meeting, Dipke said the youth-led platform would continue functioning as a pressure group instead of entering electoral politics immediately. He added that supporting students affected by examination-related controversies would remain one of the organisation’s priorities.

What Happens Next?

With the Jharkhand Assembly session underway and public attention firmly on the issue, the coming days are expected to be crucial.

Students are waiting for the state government to announce concrete measures regarding recruitment reforms and investigations. Until then, protest organisers have indicated that peaceful demonstrations will continue, keeping pressure on authorities to address long-standing concerns surrounding competitive examinations.