Student leader Devendra Nat Mahto is on a 9-day hunger strike; consequences of prolonged fasting

Jairam Mahto, MLA from Dumri assembly constituency and leader of Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), has made a significant announcement in support of the ongoing student agitation regarding the JPSC-JSSC appointment dispute. He has announced that he will observe a one-day fast on August 9.

Mahto stated that he will begin the fast at 6 AM on August 9 at the old assembly complex. This step is taken to support the student movement and hunger strike that has been ongoing for the past fifteen days at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, as he shows solidarity with the students' demands.

Jairam Mahto confirmed this decision while speaking to Aaj Tak over the phone. He clarified that on August 9, he will observe a day-long water fast to demonstrate support for the protesting students and draw the government's attention to their demands.

The MLA also indicated that after the one-day fast, when the assembly session concludes on August 12, he will further strengthen the movement in support of the students and remain vocal on the issues.

It is noteworthy that students have been continuously protesting over the JPSC-JSSC appointment dispute and are on hunger strike at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Negotiations between the protestors and the government regarding the demands are ongoing, but no satisfactory solution has been reached yet.

Mahto's announcement of this water fast is being seen as support for the students, and it is expected that the agitation over the JPSC-JSSC appointment dispute may intensify after the session ends, i.e., after August 12. Currently, all eyes are on Jairam Mahto's proposed fast on August 9.

The condition of Rahul, who is on a hunger strike in Rachi, suddenly deteriorated amid the ongoing student demonstration, which has been going on for two weeks. Rahul is one of the participants in the protest who are continuously observing the fast. After his health worsened, medics took him to the hospital.

Students are holding this protest against alleged violations and leaks of examination materials in the JPSC and JSSC exams. The protesters argue that the issue goes beyond the condition of one person and is a result of long-standing dissatisfaction. They emphasized that their demands must be heard. According to the students, they have already approached Rahul Gandhi, and he supported their demands, but now they are waiting for an opportunity to meet him.

Rahul continues his hunger strike. Students state that he has been fasting and drinking water for four days, which led to the deterioration of his health because his body was in the heat. Rahul had taken several exams and successfully passed the teacher assistant exam, but despite this, he has not received an appointment. Students accuse the government of nepotism and getting positions through 'back channels' while they continue to work on exam preparation.

The story of Savita, 27, participating in the demonstration, illustrates the difficulties of this movement. Savita said that her father fought for her education, but now she does not know where to go. She notes that years pass, she has worked hard, but the system is letting her down.

Student movement leader Devendra Nath Mahto stated that his appearance reflects his health condition. He could speak only a little, thinking and speaking, as the rest of his body did not support him. He called the government's reaction to the students extremely insensitive. He also expressed a desire to create a system where falsifications and material leaks would be impossible.

Local residents are also supporting the students protesting in Rachi. People are helping them both online and with cash, but the students refuse to accept money. Local traders are also ready to provide any possible assistance. Voices of support are coming from all over the country. In bad weather conditions, the SJP party sent raincoats to the students, and its leader is arriving in Rachi today.

The scandal, which began with allegations of opening examination material envelopes and the disappearance of OMR sheets in the 14th JPSC exam (PT), has escalated into the largest student movement in Jharkhand's history. However, since students are demanding not so much the purity of the exams themselves as an investigation by the supervisory agency, the question arises whether this movement casts doubt on the integrity of the government's own investigative body.

As a result of a sit-in strike at the Jai Pal Singh Stadium in Ranchi, the government was compelled to form a special commission comprising four ministers (Dipika Pandey Singh, Chamra Linda, Sudivya Kumar Sonu, Sanjay Prasad) and senior IAS officer Ajay Kumar. Although the state government is conducting an investigation through the CID, students insist on a CBI investigation into all seven disputed JPSC and JSSC exams conducted between 2019 and 2026, rather than just canceling one exam.

Students argue that the more than 19 arrests made by state agencies (CID) are themselves proof that the OMR sheets were obtained illegally and that a 'collusive' system was organized. Nevertheless, they believe this only catches small fry, leaving major 'crocodiles' unpunished. This is why students are now demanding the intervention of the central investigating agency—the CBI.

The history of JPSC and JSSC exams since 2019 has been marked by several incidents: in 2019-20, students approached the High Court regarding disputed JPSC lists and cut-off scores. In 2021, disputes arose over discrepancies in the Answer Key and the lack of transparency in the selection process for JPSC. In 2022, a statewide protest occurred over cut-off scores and a suspicious evaluation system for JSSC. In 2023, a leak of JSSC CGL examination materials on social media shortly before the exam drew judicial attention. In 2024, the use of Dummy Candidates was uncovered, and an organized cheating syndicate was exposed in JGGLCCE-JSSC CGL. And in 2025, students pointed to a lack of transparency in JSSC results and accused authorities of favoring favorites. The last major protest, involving a strike and the initiation of a CID investigation, took place in 2026 during the 14th JPSC PT exam.

The state government asserts that the CID investigation is actively underway, with over 19 arrests made so far, including examination center operators, middlemen, and suspects. Despite this, students claim that state investigative bodies are only dealing with low-level 'racketeers' and closing cases. They emphasize that the network of material leaks and covert access extends to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, and only the central agency (CBI) can conduct such an investigation.

'Abhay Tiwari' has become the symbol of the syndicate that allows people to enter the top lists without taking the exam or by leaving the OMR sheet blank. Students are now opposing any such syndicate. This is why, even on the 13th day, despite heavy rain, all students continue their protest.

Students have clearly stated that if the four-minister government commission wishes to negotiate, it must appear at this open venue at the stadium. Student trust in closed-door meetings in offices has been completely lost.