Ranchi: Invoking the legacy of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, student leader Devendra Nath Mahato put Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the spotlight during the ongoing JPSC-JSSC aspirants' protest in Ranchi, asking why the government was not accepting the students' demands.

Mahato, who has been on a hunger strike for nine days over alleged irregularities in JPSC-JSSC examinations, joined the protesting students' 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march towards the Jharkhand Assembly in an ambulance.

Unable to walk after his prolonged hunger strike, Mahato said he had come to the protest despite the risks involved and urged the government to respond to the students.

“Guruji Shibu Soren fought all his life, he led movements all his life. Had he been alive, he would have joined our protest,” Mahato said during the march.

He said the protesters were carrying Shibu Soren's photograph with them and then turned his remarks towards Hemant Soren.

“If Hemant Soren considers Guruji his ideal...” Mahato said, questioning the government's response to the protesting students.

Mahato's remarks came as he joined the Assembly march despite being on hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, the main protest site, for the past nine days.

He said he could not walk and was aware of the risks involved in joining a protest where a confrontation with police or a stampede could occur.

“I know I cannot run, they can lob tear gas shells,” he said, adding that the protest would continue until the government listened to the students.

Mahato appeals for peaceful protest

As protesters crossed and climbed over the three-layer police barricading during the 'Vidhan Sabha Gherao' march, Mahato appealed to students to remain disciplined.

He specifically referred to Hemant Soren's birthday and said he did not want the protest to result in any mishap.

“It is Hemant Soren's birthday today. I don't want students to do anything on this day which would cause some mishap here,” he said.

Referring to an incident during a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Mahato urged students to ensure that no violence took place.

“No blood should spill here, it should stay peaceful,” he said.

Mahato also said he would not end his hunger strike and questioned why the government was allowing the situation to escalate instead of addressing the students' demands.

“The protest will continue until the government listens to us,” he said.