On August 15, as the nation observed its 80th Independence Day, tensions flared in Ranchi when police stopped student leader Devendra Nath Mahto from leaving Sadar Hospital to participate in a scheduled Tiranga Yatra at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium. Mahto, a key leader of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), has been leading a sustained indefinite hunger strike since Sunday night, August 2, in solidarity with thousands of job aspirants protesting systemic irregularities in state-level competitive examinations.

The student-led agitation, which began on July 25 and has entered its 23rd day, centers around widespread allegations of misconduct in recruitment tests conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). While thousands of demonstrators continue their peaceful sit-in at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium demanding institutional accountability, Mahto was admitted to Sadar Hospital on Monday, August 10, after his physical condition deteriorated severely following a police lathicharge during a Vidhan Sabha Gherao march.

A confrontation unfolded inside the hospital on Saturday when security personnel physically blocked the fasting activist from stepping outside to join the Independence Day Tricolour march. Visuals shared on social media platform X documented security officials barring the doorway, while JLKM party members pleaded with them to permit Mahto to join the gathering and officials insisted that the fasting leader remain under medical care. Mahto questioned the constitutional basis of his confinement:

“After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?”

Taking directly to X, Mahto shared video footage of the standoff and expressed his dismay over the heavy police deployment:

“After expressing my desire to participate in the flag hoisting and Tricolour March organised at the protest site, Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, a heavy police force has been deployed outside my room in the Sadar Hospital. What kind of freedom is this, after all? Are we not even free to hoist the Tricolour and participate in the Tricolour March in our own country? Despite the difficult circumstances, I want to join this program in a peaceful manner.”

Following the altercation, Mahto reported that he sustained physical injuries during the scuffle, noting that his health had remained in a fragile state throughout his 14-day fast:

“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 emphasized that he was experiencing chest pain even while speaking, yet remained determined to hoist the national flag at the stadium. Demanding transparency from the administration, Mahto stated:

“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.”

Protesting the restrictions, Mahto staged a sit-in directly outside his hospital room, refusing further treatment until permitted to move freely:

“The police repeatedly jostled and stopped me. Eventually, I sat down right outside the door of my room. I will remain seated here until I am allowed to leave. I will not undergo medical treatment either; I will stay right here and voice my position. My fight is for the rights of the people and for justice. My voice cannot be suppressed by stopping me.”

Mahto also cautioned protesting students against external attempts to weaken their campaign, emphasizing that questions regarding the incident would be raised in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly:

“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 added:

“When the time comes, I will make all the revelations.”

"Sodium level at 124, ketone bodies present in urine indicating starvation": Doctor flags concern over Devendra Mahto's health

Medical authorities at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi have issued urgent warnings regarding the critical physical state of Devendra Nath Mahto, whose continuous 15-day fast has led to severe electrolyte imbalances and markers of starvation. Addressing the media, attending physician Dr. Amrita outlined the deteriorating vitals of Mahto and other hospitalized hunger strikers:

"First, there is Devendra Nath Mahto, who has not eaten for 15 days. He is refusing to take fluids, though he is drinking water. An electrolyte imbalance has been detected in him. Reports show his sodium level is 124, and ketone bodies are present in his urine, indicating starvation."

Dr. Amrita shared updates on other protesting youths admitted to the facility, detailing:

"Next is Umme Habiba. Ketone bodies have been found in her urine as well. Her blood pressure is being maintained due to fluid transfusions. Then there is Rahul Kranti. Ketone bodies have been found in his urine too, at a '3+' level, and his blood pressure is currently being maintained solely through fluid transfusions."

Dr. Bimlesh Kumar, Deputy Superintendent at Sadar Hospital, explained that discharging Mahto under present clinical conditions presents severe medical hazards:

"The situation right now involves a significant electrolyte imbalance; sodium is at 124, and potassium is also low. If the patient exerts themselves in this condition, there is a risk of seizures or similar complications. Under these circumstances, we simply cannot discharge the patient."

Dr. Kumar emphasized the hospital's official stance:

"That is why we have advised against discharge, and we believe he should understand this; discharging him now would lead to serious problems. For the time being, we have advised him to stay here and allow the necessary medical treatment to proceed... his condition does not permit us to let them leave or discharge him."

He reaffirmed:

"Given the clear signs and symptoms of starvation, we simply cannot discharge the patient in this condition under any circumstances."

Regarding other hospitalized agitators, Dr. Kumar stated:

"The condition of all the patients here who are on a hunger strike is more or less the same. Take the patient named Manish, for instance, he is suffering from severe backache and is currently unable to walk properly. We conducted an MRI and CT scan yesterday, which revealed some issues, making medical treatment absolutely essential, which is what we are providing."

Who is Devendra Nath Mahto, whom students call the 'Sonam Wangchuk' of Jharkhand? Student leader goes on an indefinite hunger strike in Ranchi

As demonstrations across Ranchi gain momentum, Devendra Nath Mahto has emerged as the principal figurehead of the youth movement, earning the moniker "the Sonam Wangchuk of Jharkhand" among student groups. The label draws comparisons to climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently led a 26-day fast at Jantar Mantar alongside the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against NEET examination anomalies, concluding his fast on July 23, 2026, at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram following government reform assurances and the subsequent resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on July 25.

Hailing from a small village in Ranchi district, Mahto completed his early education in Bundu before earning postgraduate degrees in Kurmali, Tribal and Regional Languages, and Sanskrit from Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University in Ranchi, alongside a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Hazaribagh. Actively involved in student welfare since 2015, Mahto has consistently campaigned against paper leaks, unfair recruitment criteria, reservation disparities, and scholarship delays. The Cockroach Janata Party extended formal support to his ongoing agitation, with founder Abhijeet Dipke engaging with Mahto and fellow student leaders via video conference.

Mahto has also tested electoral politics under the JLKM banner, securing 1,32,647 votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from the Ranchi parliamentary seat, and subsequently securing 41,725 votes to finish third in the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly election. His official election filings declare total assets of approximately ₹1.66 lakh and note 11 legal cases registered against him stemming from his participation in public protests and demonstrations.

Earlier in his fast, on August 4, 2026, Mahto marked the commencement of his agitation on social media:

"Day 3 of the hunger strike, Day 11 of the Satyagraha. Paying humble tribute to Dishom Guru Shibu Soren on his first death anniversary, our struggle is dedicated to his name. This movement of Jharkhand's youth is not for any position or politics, but for a fair, transparent, and corruption-free recruitment system. The JPSC–JSSC corruption-free recruitment campaign continues uninterrupted. Hemant Soren, talk to us or resign."

The protesting students are seeking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) probes into systemic corruption across state recruitment boards, including the outright cancellation of the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination. Demonstrators point to widespread reports of OMR sheet manipulation and paper leaks, highlighting that testing agency TDPL was contracted despite prior blacklisting by central agencies such as the Staff Selection Commission (SSC).

Frustration has been compounded by several recent scandals, including the paper leak and subsequent High Court-mandated rescheduling of the 2024 JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, where students rejected a state CID inquiry. Earlier this year, law enforcement apprehended 159 candidates and 5 syndicate leaders who charged up to ₹15 lakh each to memorize leaked question papers for the Jharkhand Excise Constable Competitive Examination (JECCE). Furthermore, viral leaks of Science and Hindi question papers during the JAC Class 10 Board Examinations in Koderma and Giridih led to widespread cancellations and re-examinations across the state.

Addressing the escalating agitation, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren maintained that official investigations are actively progressing:

"You know how seriously we are looking into things; I cannot tear open my chest to prove it. Whatever issue we take up, we rest only after fixing it, and that has always been our objective. The investigation team is working day and night, and we are waiting for their report. Very soon, we will brief everyone on the students' issue."

When asked by reporters whether an official state delegation would meet the agitating students directly at the protest site, Chief Minister Soren affirmed that procedural protocols would be followed, stating:

"We are and will remain with the students."