Jharkhand student protest LIVE: Devendra Nath Mahto on Day 6 of hunger strike as protest continues

LiveAug 7, 2026, 11:29:08 ISTJharkhand student protest LIVE: As the protest in Jharkhand continues, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has called out the Hemant Soren-led government over irregularities in state recruitment exams such as the JPSC, JSSC CGL and others.4 Mins agoSoren govt ‘insensitive’ towards student, says Mahto24 Mins agoJharkhand LoP calls on Soren govt to talk to students58 Mins agoStudents plan march to Vidhan Sabha1 Hr 7 Mins agoDevendra Nath Mahto on Day 6 of hunger strikeJharkhand student protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto during his indefinite hunger strike as part of a protest against the Jharkhand government over alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination,Jharkhand student protest LIVE: As the protest in Jharkhand continues, student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has called out the Hemant Soren-led government over irregularities in state recruitment exams such as the JPSC, JSSC CGL and others. Meanwhile, Mahto is now on the sixth day of his indefinite hunger strike. "My face reveals my health. I am only able to hear, think, and speak a little. The rest of my organs are not able to support me. Looking at the government's attitude, it is extremely insensitive towards students. We will together formulate a system in which rigging and paper leaks are impossible." the student leader told ANI.Mahto has refused to break his fast and starting consuming water and salt on the advice of Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a 26-day hunger strike as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Why are students protesting? The students in Jharkhand gathered at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, demanding the cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT exams after 2019, a CBI investigation into the irregularities, strict action against the "mafias and agencies involved," disclosure of category-wise cut-offs (UR, EWS, BC-I, BC-II, SC, ST), OMR copies, and response sheets for transparency regarding the process and a recruitment calendar modelled after UPSC/SSC standards. However, amid a stalemate with the state government, students have now also called for the resignation of chief minister Hemant Soren, stating that he is "unfit" for office. Govt reaches out for talks The Jharkhand government reached out to the protestors earlier this week for dialogue. However, the students remain apprehensive and stated they will deliberate on a delegation which will communicate with the state government. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to protesters on Thursday and assured them of taking up their demands with the state government. Congress is also part of the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand. ...Read MoreMahto has refused to break his fast and starting consuming water and salt on the advice of Sonam Wangchuk, who was on a 26-day hunger strike as part of the Cockroach Janta Party's protest in Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Why are students protesting? The students in Jharkhand gathered at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, demanding the cancellation of all JSSC CGL, JSSC JE, and PGT exams after 2019, a CBI investigation into the irregularities, strict action against the "mafias and agencies involved," disclosure of category-wise cut-offs (UR, EWS, BC-I, BC-II, SC, ST), OMR copies, and response sheets for transparency regarding the process and a recruitment calendar modelled after UPSC/SSC standards. However, amid a stalemate with the state government, students have now also called for the resignation of chief minister Hemant Soren, stating that he is "unfit" for office. Govt reaches out for talks The Jharkhand government reached out to the protestors earlier this week for dialogue. However, the students remain apprehensive and stated they will deliberate on a delegation which will communicate with the state government. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to protesters on Thursday and assured them of taking up their demands with the state government. Congress is also part of the JMM-led coalition government in Jharkhand. Follow all the updates here:Aug 7, 2026, 11:29:08 ISTJharkhand student protest LIVE: Soren govt ‘insensitive’ towards student, says MahtoJharkhand student protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, has alleged "insensitive attitude" by the state government led by chief minister Hemant Soren.“Looking at the government's attitude, it is extremely insensitive towards students. We will together formulate a system in which rigging and paper leaks are impossible,” he told ANI."The Chief Minister had initiated talks for a dialogue. But it didn't happen due to lack of coordination. It seems possible that the dialogue would happen today. Our intention was never to disturb the state. If our demands are met, we will leave by today evening. These are the two institutions from which students hope to build their future. However, it is deeply disheartening when those very institutions are up for sale,” another student protest on hunger strike, Gulam Hussain, told ANI.Aug 7, 2026, 11:09:09 ISTJharkhand student protest LIVE: Jharkhand LoP calls on Soren govt to talk to studentsJharkhand student protest LIVE: During the legislative assembly session, Jharkhand's leader of opposition Babulal Marandi has called for the chief minister Hemant Soren-led government to talk to the protestors.“The government is deliberately adamant. They're selling jobs and auctioning the rights of Jharkhand's children for money. And when the children are protesting, they're not willing to talk... The investigating agencies are trying to cover up the matter. Whether it's the CID or the ACB, both agencies in Jharkhand are solely focused on protecting the government and the criminals,” he told reporters.Aug 7, 2026, 10:34:46 ISTJharkhand student protest LIVE: Students plan march to Vidhan SabhaJharkhand student protest LIVE: As the protest in Jharkhand enters Day 14, several protestors have announced a "Vidhan Sabha march."This announcement from students comes amid a stalemate with the government, as protesting students and job aspirants allege that no formal invitation was received from the state government to discuss their demands and resolve the issues.Aug 7, 2026, 10:25:45 ISTJharkhand student protest LIVE: Devendra Nath Mahto on Day 6 of hunger strikeJharkhand student protest LIVE: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, entered the sixth day of his hunger strike on Friday and has hit out on the JMM led government over the irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC CGL and other competitive examinations in Jharkhand.Amid deteriorating health, Mahato told ANI that he was "only able to hear, think, and speak a little."The protester said, "My face reveals my health. I am only able to hear, think, and speak a little. The rest of my organs are not able to support me. Looking at the government's attitude, it is extremely insensitive towards students. We will together formulate a system in which rigging and paper leaks are impossible."Home India news Jharkhand student protest LIVE: Devendra Nath Mahto on Day 6 of hunger strike as protest continues