after-wangchuk-devendra-mahto-emerges-as-students-new-face

Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has emerged as the face of the ongoing agitation against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), launching an indefinite hunger strike to press for the protesters' demands.

 

Mahto began his fast on Sunday night at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students have been staging demonstrations over alleged discrepancies in several recruitment examinations. He said the decision was taken after weeks of protests failed to elicit a concrete response from the authorities.

 

The agitation began after the results of the 14th JPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination were declared on July 5, with aspirants alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. Students have since organised day-and-night protests and an indefinite sit-in demanding transparency and accountability.

 

Mahto is demanding a CBI and ED investigation into the alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination, the JSSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination and other recruitment tests. He has also sought cancellation of the 14th JPSC preliminary examination until a transparent inquiry is completed.

 

In a social media post on Monday, Mahto said his hunger strike had entered its second day, adding that although he was physically weak, his resolve to secure justice for students remained firm. He urged supporters to continue the agitation peacefully and within the framework of the Constitution.

 

A postgraduate in Sanskrit and Kurmali, Tribal and Regional Languages, Mahto has been associated with student movements since 2015 and has campaigned on issues such as scholarship delays, recruitment rules, reservation policies and alleged examination irregularities.

 

The protest has also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Party founder Abhijeet Dipke said he spoke with Mahto and other student leaders through a video conference and extended the party's support to the movement.

 

The demonstrations in Ranchi continue, with students maintaining that the agitation will persist until an impartial investigation is ordered and accountability is fixed for the alleged examination irregularities.