India
oi-Oneindia Staff
It is after Sonam Wangchuk’s request that Devendra Ntah Mahto drank water on his 4th day of hunger strike. He further clarified that he did not end his hunger strike and will continue till the government accepts their demands.
Protesting job aspirants in Ranchi continue an indefinite hunger strike for JPSC/JSSC exam reforms and investigation into irregularities. Student leader Devendra Mahto accepted water from Sonam Wangchuk due to illness but vows to continue without food until demands are met, while CM Hemant Soren assures a decision.
It must be known that just like the recent student protest in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, the students are protesting over irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC CGL and other competitive exams.
In a 10-minute video call with Mahto, Wangchuk expressed solidarity with the protesting students and urged the 33-year-old student leader to at least consume water while continuing his protest, expressing concern over his deteriorating health.
Mahto stated that he had been unwell and agreed to take water after Wangchuk’s request. “I was not keeping well, but on Sonam Wangchuk’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,” Mahto said.
देश के प्रख्यात इनोवेटर श्री सोनम वांगचुक सर से वीडियो कॉल से सीधे संवाद करने का अवसर।
उन्होंने हमारे आंदोलन के प्रति अपना बहुमूल्य मार्गदर्शन, प्रेरणादायी विचार एवं हौसला प्रदान किया। उनके आग्रह पर हमने जल ग्रहण किया। साथ ही, उनसे रांची आकर आंदोलनरत छात्रों का मनोबल बढ़ाने का… pic.twitter.com/qktmMyfTtQ— Devendra Nath Mahto (@DevendraNathMa9) August 5, 2026
He also clarified that drinking water did not end his protest; he continued his hunger strike and would not consume food until the government accepts to their demands. “I will not consume food until the government fulfills our demands. I have only taken water,” he said.
Devendra 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.”
In the past ten days, two groups of job aspirants have been staging protests, demanding the cancellation of the 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,” and the group’s core committee would soon meet to decide on organising a ‘Tiranga March’ in support of the protesting students. said Jivan Kumar, spokesperson of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
They were “forced” to adopt the extreme step as the government had failed to address their demands. said Sabita Kumari, one of the hunger strikers,
Responding to the ongoing situation, 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.
