Fasting student activist Devendra Nath Mahto clashed with police at a Ranchi hospital while trying to join a Tiranga Yatra organised by Jharkhand job aspirants protesting alleged recruitment exam irregularities.
Ranchi: Fasting student activist Devendra Nath Mahto clashed with security personnel at a Ranchi hospital on Saturday after he was allegedly stopped from leaving the facility to join a Tiranga Yatra organised by students protesting alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations.
Mahto, who has been on a hunger strike for 14 days, claimed he suffered a chest injury during the confrontation.
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What happened at the hospital?
A video of the incident showed a security official blocking Mahto as he attempted to leave the hospital. Workers of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) were seen urging the official to allow Mahto to join the Independence Day march.
Mahto questioned why he was being prevented from attending the Tiranga Yatra at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium.
“After 80 years, we have realised that we have got only nominal freedom. Under which provision of the Constitution am I being stopped?” he said.
The confrontation took place as thousands of job aspirants and supporters participated in a Tiranga Yatra in Ranchi on Independence Day.
The march began at the protest site near Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium and continued towards Albert Ekka Chowk. Participants carried the national flag and raised slogans including “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram”.
The march was held on the 22nd day of the wider protest over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand's recruitment examinations.
What are the protesters demanding?
Protesters under the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch are demanding greater transparency in recruitment examinations. Their demands include the cancellation of several examinations and an independent investigation by the CBI or a panel of retired judges from outside Jharkhand.
The protesters have alleged irregularities in the recruitment process and are seeking reforms to restore confidence among job aspirants.
Mahto has been on hunger strike
Mahto has been fasting for 14 days as part of the agitation. His supporters said he wanted to participate in the Tiranga Yatra despite being at the hospital.
Videos of his confrontation with security personnel were subsequently shared widely on social media. Mahto claimed that he sustained an injury to his chest during the incident.
Hemant Soren assures job aspirants
Earlier, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the hard work of job aspirants would not be left at the mercy of paper-leak networks, corruption or irregularities.
Soren said questions surrounding recruitment examinations can affect the confidence of an entire generation and assured students that the government would work to protect their interests.
He also said the state would create employment opportunities through its recruitment agencies.
The JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch said Independence Day was an opportunity to highlight issues beyond freedom from colonial rule, including inequality of opportunity, corruption and injustice.
The group appealed to young people to continue pursuing their education and careers while raising their voices peacefully over issues affecting their future.
The Ranchi protest comes as the state faces continued pressure from job aspirants seeking changes to the recruitment examination system.
Published: 15 Aug 2026, 02:35 pm IST
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