Two days of student protests planned in Bihar: TRE-4 demands and march against police violence

Protests by students continue regarding alleged irregularities in the JPSC and JSSC entrance exams in Haryana. During an indefinite strike in Ranchi, young student leader Devendra Nat Mahto was hospitalized at Sadar Hospital due to deteriorating health. Despite constant medical monitoring, his hunger strike has continued for eleven days.

In an exclusive interview with 'India Today' from his hospital room, Devendra Nat Mahto detailed his demands, his health condition, and plans for further protests. When asked if he was ready to end his fast after 11 days, Mahto clarified that the hunger strike continues at Sadar Hospital. He emphasized that the responsibility lies with him towards the millions of young people gathered outside the legislative assembly building. Although the government claims to have satisfied 90% of the demands, according to him, less than 50% of the demands have been met on the ground, and 'empty statements and promises will not help; the government needs to issue an official letter.'

Expressing dissatisfaction with his hospitalization, Mahto requested permission to immediately return to the protest site if his organs (liver, kidneys, heart) are fine. Regarding the CBI investigation and the cancellation of disputed exams, he noted that the government is only making statements but has not taken any concrete steps yet. He stated that the protest will continue until the government issues written and clear directives.

Responding to questions about the stance of Hemant Soren's government, he explained that this protest is not directed against any specific individual but against the entire rotten system. He warned that if the government fails to reform this system, the students will directly confront the government. He questioned: 'What is the use of a government that cannot satisfy the youth?'

Regarding allegations that the protest is hijacked by the Bharatiya Janata Party, Devendra Nat Mahto refuted them, stating that he initiated this struggle on July 2nd, and no political party is involved. He added that he would welcome support from Jharkhand Mukti Morcha if they supported the students.

Mentioning the issues raised by Rahul Gandhi, he said: 'If for Rahul Gandhi all students across the country are the same, then in Haryana he has a coalition government. Rahul Gandhi himself should come to Haryana and solve this problem permanently by talking to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, as my condition is very serious right now.'

Referring to conversations with Abhijit Dipke, leader of Kokroch Janat, and social activist Son Vanchuk, Mahto reported that he is receiving support from across the country. However, he stressed that the protest does not depend on the support of any single person.

In conclusion, speaking about his physical pain and determination, he stated that his spirit and resolve for the fight are still at the protest site. He concluded: 'It doesn't matter now whether I am alive or dead; the most important thing is to save the future of these millions of young people.'

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 student protest in Jharkhand, sparked by alleged irregularities during the JPSC and JSSC examinations, entered its fourteenth day on Friday. Six protesters are on hunger strike at the demonstration taking place at the Jai Pal Singh stadium in Ranchi.

Negotiations took place in the evening between the administration and student representatives, but they failed to reach an agreement on the delegation structure, halting further dialogue. Meanwhile, the CID investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC exam has intensified, with 19 people arrested so far.

According to sources, a meeting between the government and the student delegation is scheduled for the day. The protests began on July 25 under the aegis of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms platform and have become one of the largest student movements in the state in recent years. Protesters demand the cancellation of the 14th JPSC exam and an independent investigation by either the CBI or a commission of retired Supreme Court judges of the state. They also insist on significant reforms in JPSC and JSSC.

Late Thursday evening, around ten thirty, SDO Kumar Rajat and ADM of Law and Order Dhannandaj Kumar arrived at the site of the protest and spoke with student representatives. The administration clearly stated that it would only negotiate with official student representatives, while students insisted on their originally approved 11-member delegation, including a journalist and a lawyer.

Despite the night negotiations, no agreement was reached on the composition of the delegation. Student movement leader Ravindra Paswan reported that the SDO assured a positive attitude but did not set a time for the start of negotiations.

The protest also impacted the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, where opposition MPs held a procession and called on the government to wake up, wearing masks on the first day of the monsoon season. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reiterated the demand for a CBI investigation, accusing the state government of playing with the future of students. Minister Hemant Soren had previously stated that the problem of examination material leakage exists across the country, and the government is ready for dialogue.

Due to plans by student organizations to hold demonstrations near the Legislative Assembly on August 7 and 10, the administration imposed restrictive orders under Section 163 within a 750-meter radius of the building from August 6 to 12.

Devendranath Mahto, the leader of the Jharkhand Democratic Revolutionary Front, who is on hunger strike, has been fighting for his life for several days, and concern is growing over his health due to a sharp drop in blood sugar and blood pressure. Social activist Sonam Wangchuk, who conducted a 26-day hunger strike regarding the NEET exam leak in Delhi, spoke with Mahto on the phone and urged him to drink at least water, after which Mahto started drinking.

The Congress party leader also contacted the students by phone and promised any possible assistance. The student leader stated that if the Congress could not put pressure on the Jharkhand government, it should withdraw from the coalition. The BJP called this political posturing.