Fasting student activist Mahto clashes with cops at Ranchi hospital, claims injury

Fasting student activist Devendra Nath Mahto clashed with police at a Ranchi hospital on Saturday after he was stopped from leaving the facility to join a Tiranga Yatra (tricolour rally) at a stadium on Independence Day. Mahto claimed he suffered a chest injury during the confrontation.Mahto, who was hospitalised on August 10, has been on a hunger strike for 14 days while protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s recruitment examinations.A video of the incident showed a security official blocking Mahto’s path as he tried to leave the Sadar Hospital. Several workers of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM), the outfit to which Mahto belongs, are seen urging the official to allow him to join the Tiranga Yatra, while the official appeared to ask them to let the fasting activist rest.Mahto questioned why he was being prevented from attending the march at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. “After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” he said. The activist later alleged on X that he was injured during the pushing and shoving. “While going to Jaipal Singh Stadium to hoist the flag, I was stopped by the police. During the pushing and shoving, I suffered an injury to my chest. My treatment and medical examination are currently underway,” he said.He said his health had remained poor for 14 days and that he was experiencing chest pain even while speaking. Despite this, he said, he wanted to go to the stadium to hoist the national flag. Mahto also demanded that if doctors had advised him against leaving the hospital, the authorities should show him the order in writing. “If there is a doctor’s order, show me the written order. If I am stopped without a written order, I will file an FIR against everyone who stopped me,” he said.He also alleged that attempts were being made to divert the students’ movement, claiming that some people were trying to dismantle the agitation nearly a month after it began.“Due to this movement, an inquiry committee has been formed today. The government is also positively listening to our points, but full justice is still pending,” he said.“When the time comes, I will make all the revelations,” Mahto added, without elaborating.He urged protesting students not to let the movement be diverted and appealed to them to remain united.Mahto has been undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital since Monday after his health deteriorated following his participation in a march by protesting students to the Jharkhand Assembly.He has been on hunger strike since August 2 in support of students and job aspirants protesting against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).- EndsPublished By: Prateek ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 15, 2026 13:48 IST