India
oi-Swastika Sruti
When the nation was busy celebrating its 80th Independence Day, dramatic scenes unfolded at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi on Saturday when Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahto tried to leave the hospital to join the Tiranga Yatra organised by protesting students on Saturday.
Jharkhand leader Devendra Nath Mahto, undergoing a hunger strike at Sadar Hospital Ranchi for JPSC/JSSC recruitment probe, was forcibly restrained by police on Independence Day when attempting to join a student-led Tiranga Yatra.
A video from the hospital showed Mahto holding the Tricolour, wearing a Tricolour scarf around his neck and a Tricolour bandana on his forehead. Police personnel were seen stopping him from leaving the premises, leading to a tense exchange.
Police Seen Dragging Mahto Back Into Hospital Room
In the video, one may find Mahto attempting to make his way out of the room amidst attempts by police officers to hold him back.
When resisting, Mahto was dragged back into his hospital room by some police officers.
According to Mahto, he was denied his right to take part in the Tiranga Yatra when he had already agreed to leave the hospital on his own accord.
14 दिनों से भूख हड़ताल पर बैठे मेरे साथ आज पुलिस द्वारा धक्का-मुक्की और बलपूर्वक रोकने की कोशिश की गई। मेरे साथ मौजूद साथियों के साथ भी पुलिस द्वारा मारपीट की गई।
कई दिनों से भूखा होने के बावजूद मैं अपने अधिकार और जनता की आवाज़ के लिए खड़ा हूँ। हमें इस तरह रोककर हमारी आवाज़ को… pic.twitter.com/TRxMaMkBqR
— Devendra Nath Mahto (@DevendraNathMa9) August 15, 2026
“I have been restrained from unfurling the Tricolour. I had given an undertaking that I would leave on my own responsibility and the hospital administration will not be held responsible for any of my health issues. Still, I have been restrained forcefully,” Mahto stated in the commotion.
The supporters of Mahto are also said to have clashed with some police officers while helping him get out of the hospital.
Why Was Mahto In Hospital?
It must be noted that Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike since August and was on the 14th day of his protest on Saturday.
He was admitted to Sadar Hospital after a Ranchi Vidhan Sabha Gherao march by protesting students turned tense. Police used lathicharge, tear gas and water cannons during the protest.
Mahto and the student protesters have been demanding action over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Thousands of job aspirants have been participating in the movement.
Tiranga Yatra Organised At Protest Site
The protesting students organised a Tiranga Yatra on Independence Day at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
The stadium has emerged as a key centre of the ongoing protests by job aspirants.
Mahto had expressed his desire to join the programme and participate in the flag-hoisting event.
Earlier on Saturday, he said that a large police force had been deployed outside his hospital room after he announced his intention to attend the march.
“After expressing my desire to participate in the flag hoisting and Tiranga March organised at the protest site, a heavy police force has been deployed outside my room in Sadar Hospital,” Mahto said in a post on X.
He questioned the restrictions and said he wanted to participate in the programme peacefully.
‘What Kind Of Freedom Is This?’ Mahto Questions
In his social media post, Mahto questioned why he was being prevented from participating in an Independence Day event.
He said, “What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in the Tiranga March in our own country?”
He added that despite his health condition, he wanted to join the programme peacefully.
The incident at the hospital subsequently led to a confrontation between Mahto’s supporters and police personnel.
