Jharkhand Student Leader Allegedly Blocked from Independence Day Rally Amid Exam Protests

Devendra Nath Mahto, a leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, was allegedly prevented by police from leaving Sadar Hospital to join a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi on Independence Day. Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike since August 2 over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), shared videos on X showing security officials blocking his path. Mahto claimed that he and his companions were pushed and shoved, resulting in injuries to his chest. In one video, he is seen protesting on the hospital floor, stating he would remain there until allowed to leave.

The Tiranga Yatra was organized by job aspirants and students under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch banner. Thousands of participants marched from Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium to Albert Ekka Chowk to mark India's 80th Independence Day. The protesters are demanding greater transparency in recruitment, the cancellation of several tests, and an independent probe by the CBI or a panel of retired judges.

During his Independence Day address, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren stated that the hard work of job aspirants would not be left at the mercy of a corrupt system, mafia, or irregularities. He promised that the appointment process through the JPSC and JSSC would be expedited and that the government would ensure transparency in examinations. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar also described recruitment exam malpractices as unacceptable, linking fairness in competitive tests to the trust and future of students.