Mahto takes water after Sonam Wangchuk’s appeal (Photo: ANI)
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who is on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), consumed water on Wednesday, the fourth day of his fast. Mahto said he decided to take water after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk urged him to do so during a video call. He made it clear, however, that the hunger strike and the satyagraha would continue until the government responded to the students’ demands.Mahto began the indefinite hunger strike on Sunday night at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Ranchi, where students have been protesting against alleged irregularities in several recruitment examinations. The agitation entered its 12th day on Wednesday. Mahto said the wider satyagraha began on July 25, while he started his indefinite hunger strike on August 2.According to Mahto, Wangchuk expressed support for the students’ movement, offered guidance and encouragement, and lauded their peaceful democratic protest. Mahto also invited Wangchuk to visit Ranchi and boost the morale of the agitating students. He said Wangchuk had assured continued support for the movement. Wangchuk asked Mahto about his health. Mahto replied, “We have been on Satyagraha since July 25th; I sat on the indefinite hunger strike on August 2nd. I was extremely exhausted–it was a critical time… Papers have been leaking here for 26 years… Yesterday, the doctor warned that if I didn’t take water, I would have to be admitted to the hospital…” Wangchuk then appealed to him to call off the strike, saying, “Please take some water; this is tantamount to suicide… You need some time, but it could be 2-3 weeks as well, and I hope that the government will understand and make the right decision.”Mahto told reporters that Wangchuk’s support had raised the protesters’ morale. He said he had given up both food and water for four days and that his condition was quite bad. “Sonam Wangchuk sir, by supporting our movement, has increased our morale. He has increased it so much that now we will definitely make the government back down. For the last four days, I had given up both water and food, and my condition was quite bad. He made a lot of pleas, requests, and appeals, saying, ‘Take water and salt, and everyone is always with you, and surely your movement will be successful.’ Many others had requested before for me to take water and salt, but I had refused everyone. However, with one condition, I have accepted water from Sonam sir,” Mahto said.Mahto said the condition was that Wangchuk should continue supporting the Jharkhand students until their protest succeeded. He said Wangchuk had agreed to remain in touch and participate through video calls. Mahto added that he would consume water and salt but would not eat until the Jharkhand government listened to the students’ demands. “The condition is that, just as you physically participated in the students’ protest at Jantar Mantar and made the movement of students across India successful while on a hunger strike, in the same way, for justice for all the students of Jharkhand, we will expect the same support from you until this movement is successful. And we should get your support. Sonam Wangchuk sir has accepted this condition, that until the students of Jharkhand get justice, until this protest is successful, Sonam Wangchuk sir will stay with us, always stay in touch, and also be on video calls. And from today onwards, I will consume water and salt, but I will not consume food until the Jharkhand government listens to our demands,” he said.
Students demand cancellation of JPSC examination, CBI probe
The protests began after the results of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination were announced on July 5, with aspirants alleging irregularities in the recruitment process. Students have since been holding round-the-clock protests and an indefinite sit-in, demanding transparency and accountability. They are also seeking comprehensive reforms in Jharkhand’s recruitment agencies.Their key demands include the cancellation of the 14th JPSC Combined Civil Services Preliminary Examination and a CBI investigation into alleged malpractice in recruitment tests, including the JPSC and JSSC-CGL examinations. They have also demanded the public release of OMR sheets and answer scripts from the main examinations. A faction of the protesters has warned that it will gherao the Jharkhand Assembly on August 6 if the government fails to take concrete steps on the demands.
Soren says government committed to ensuring justice
Amid the growing protests, Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren broke his silence on Tuesday and said his government was sensitive to the students’ concerns and committed to ensuring justice. He said the matter was being examined seriously and that an appropriate decision would be taken within the constitutional framework after reports from the investigating agencies were received. Soren said his government was determined to resolve the issue once and for all. “I have said this before as well, the government has eyes and ears; it is sensitive to the issue…the way the investigation team is working day and night, we are waiting for its answer and a conclusion…very soon we will make the students and the people of the state aware about it. All the necessities of the students will be met, and they will get justice,” the chief minister said.The state Criminal Investigation Department, which is probing the alleged examination irregularities, has conducted raids at several locations across Jharkhand. Officials seized laptops, mobile phones, bank documents, carbon copies of OMR sheets and other materials deemed important to the investigation during the searches.
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Examination of the seized evidence is under way.The opposition has also intensified its attack on the state government over the issue. Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi and several BJP leaders have demanded a CBI investigation. They have also sought strict action against officials found guilty of wrongdoing and the immediate acceptance of the students’ demands. Go to Source
