Jharkhand student activist drinks water at Wangchuk's request amid hunger strike

Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike since July 3 demanding action over irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC CGL and other competitive examinations, consumed water on Wednesday following an appeal from activist Sonam WangchukIn a 10-minute-long video call with Mahto, Wangchuk expressed solidarity with the protesting students and voiced concern over the 33-year-old leader’s deteriorating health. He urged Mahto to at least consume water while continuing his fight for the students’ demands.Following the conversation, Mahto said he had been unwell and agreed to take water after Wangchuk’s request. “I was not keeping well, but on Sonam Wangchuk ji’s request, I took water. I have pledged that the kind of support you extended to us at Jantar Mantar, we need the same support and presence here as well,” he said.However, Mahto made it clear that drinking water did not mark the end of his protest. He said he would continue his hunger strike and would not consume food until the government addresses their demands. “I will not consume food until the government fulfills our demands. I have only taken water,” he said. The student leader also appealed to Wangchuk to visit Ranchi and said he would break his hunger strike only after meeting the activist in person. “I will break my hunger strike only when you come to meet us. Sir, I request you to come here. We have great respect for you,” Mahto told Wangchuk during the call.Mahato is among the six protesters who have launched an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi as the agitation over irregularities in recruitment examinations intensified ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Jharkhand Assembly, which begins on Thursday. For the past 10 days, two groups of job aspirants have been staging protests, demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, sweeping reforms in the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), and a probe into the examination irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state."Our five friends, including two women, began an indefinite hunger strike on Tuesday night to press for our demands," said Jivan Kumar, spokesperson of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch. He added that the group's core committee would soon meet to decide on organising a 'Tiranga March' in support of the protesting students.Sabita Kumari, one of the hunger strikers, said they were "forced" to adopt the extreme step as the government had failed to address their demands.Responding to the ongoing agitation, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns of the protesting job aspirants seriously and would announce a decision at an appropriate time."With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," Soren had told reporters.The Jharkhand Police's CID has arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged examination irregularities. Amid mounting protests, the JPSC also postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, which was scheduled to be held from July 25 to 27, citing "unavoidable circumstances."Meanwhile, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke has expressed support for protesting students in Jharkhand. Dipke, while speaking at the outfit's strategy meeting in Maharashtra, on Wednesday also said that the youth-led platform has no immediate plans to enter electoral politics and will instead function as a pressure group to amplify the concerns of young Indians. Earlier, CJP has also announced plans for a nationwide outreach campaign and indicated that the CJP would extend its support to student movements, including the ongoing protests in Jharkhand. - EndsPublished On: Aug 5, 2026 11:52 IST