RANCHI — In a dramatic turn of events during the ongoing agitation against public recruitment exam scams in Jharkhand, prominent student activist Devendra Nath Mahato consumed water on Wednesday after climate activist and educator Sonam Wangchuk appealed to him via a video call to safeguard his health while continuing his fight.
Mahato, who has emerged as the principal face of the state-wide student stir, had initially refused both food and water as part of an indefinite hunger strike. Protesters across Ranchi and surrounding districts have taken to the streets over allegations of widespread question paper leaks and OMR sheet manipulation in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
Expressing solidarity with the agitating youth, Wangchuk reached out to Mahato virtually to urge him not to jeopardize his life while advocating for systemic reform.
"Take water and salt. Everyone is standing behind you, and your movement will surely succeed," Wangchuk told the student leader during their interactive call.
Moved by the activist's message, Mahato drank a glass of water on camera in front of supporters. However, he made it clear that taking fluid did not mark the end of his protest, pledging to maintain the hunger strike until the state government addresses the students' grievances.
Key Demands of the Protesting Students
The student movement has outlined three non-negotiable demands to ensure accountability and fairness in government hiring:
Central Investigation Probe: Transferring the ongoing inquiry from the state Crime Investigation Department (CID) to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to uncover alleged corrupt networks.
Cancellation of 14th JPSC Prelims: Nullifying the 14th JPSC Preliminary Examination until complete transparency in answer key evaluation and merit preparation is ensured.
High-Level Government Intervention: Direct engagement by Chief Minister Hemant Soren with student delegation leaders to implement comprehensive legislative and administrative reforms in Jharkhand's recruitment testing boards.
As student sit-ins continue in major urban centers, pressure is mounting on the state administration to initiate formal talks and restore credibility to the competitive examination system.
