‘Hope dialogue will yield positive outcome’: Student leader Mahto ahead of Jharkhand govt talks

Ranchi: Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who completed a 15-day hunger strike protesting alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), on Sunday called for permanent reforms in the education system to spare future generations similar hardships.

In a post on the social media platform X, Mahto stated that the state government had invited student representatives for discussions on Monday, expressing hope that the dialogue would yield a positive outcome.

"On the 15th day of the hunger strike, the situation is extremely critical and in its final phase. Yesterday, the government called for talks. We hope that this dialogue will yield a positive outcome and bring about such reforms in the education system that the coming generations will not have to endure the pain, struggle, and hardship that many young people are facing today", he wrote on X.

He further added, "We want education to be such that no student has to struggle so much for their rights. There should be a permanent reform in the education system, the benefits of which will be passed down from generation to generation".

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Earlier on Sunday, the demonstration by JPSC and JSSC aspirants entered its 23rd day, with student leaders announcing plans to surround the residence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren on August 20 over recruitment exam grievances, even as the state government extended an invitation for talks.

Protesting representatives confirmed they had agreed to meet a government delegation at the State Guest House in Ranchi at 2:00 p.m. on Monday.

Following a meeting with the demonstrators, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) (Law and Order) Dhananjay Kumar said the local administration had invited a student delegation alongside their legal counsel for discussions with state officials.

"We came here to meet the students and see if they are doing fine. We come here every day," Kumar told reporters.

"A delegation of students, accompanied by their legal advisor, has been invited for a meeting tomorrow at 2:00 PM. We have come to request the students to attend this meeting. The discussion will take place at the State Guest House at 2:00 PM. On behalf of the government, the same group of ministers will be present. The discussion tomorrow at the State Guest House will be with the ministers. We have come to extend this invitation," he added.

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Speaking to journalists, student leader Ravindra Paswan affirmed that students would attend the session, though he questioned the government's sincerity regarding their demands.

"The SDO visited us recently. We have received an offer for talks, and we will be holding discussions with the government delegation tomorrow... The government has indeed offered talks, and we will attend them, but I fail to understand whether the government is genuinely serious about our demands. Is their intent truly clear? I feel it is not, though perhaps they will clarify it tomorrow," Paswan said.

ANI