Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto, who has been on an indefinite hunger strike over alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations in Jharkhand, agreed to drink water on Wednesday after climate activist Sonam Wangchuk urged him not to risk his life.
Mahto, who has been fasting since August 2 at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, spoke to Wangchuk over a video call. During the conversation, Wangchuk cautioned that refusing water while on a hunger strike amounted to "suicide" and urged the student leader to preserve his health so he could continue the movement.
Responding to the appeal, Mahto drank water but announced that he would continue his protest by consuming only water and salt until the Jharkhand government addressed the protesters' demands. He said he had been participating in a Satyagraha since July 25 and had begun his indefinite fast on August 2, adding that doctors had warned him his health was deteriorating due to dehydration.
The ongoing agitation is being led by students and job aspirants protesting alleged paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Protesters are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the recruitment process and the cancellation of the allegedly compromised examinations. They have also questioned the state government's decision to hand the investigation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Five more protesters, including two women, have also joined the indefinite hunger strike under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, intensifying the agitation in Ranchi. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has said the government is taking the students' concerns seriously and assured that appropriate decisions would be announced after a thorough review.
The CID has so far arrested 14 people in connection with the alleged recruitment scam and questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte multiple times. It has also conducted raids across several districts as part of the investigation. Separately, the JPSC postponed the Combined Civil Services Mains Examination, which was scheduled to be held between July 25 and 27, citing unavoidable circumstances.
Wangchuk's support has brought national attention to the protest. The activist, who himself recently ended a 26-day hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Centre over students' demands, appealed to Mahto to remain strong while safeguarding his health, expressing hope that the Jharkhand government would engage with the protesters and resolve the issue.
What's happening in Ranchi?
Students and job aspirants have been on a sit-in protest in Jharkhand's capital since last month, against alleged irregularities and paper leaks in recruitment exams.
Protesters are seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged irregularities in exams conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).
They have alleged that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led government was trying to "whitewash" the issue by handing over the probe to the CID.
Private agency TDPL, which conducts some of the exams, is also under the scanner for the alleged irregularities.
Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was serious about the concerns raised by the protesting job aspirants, adding that a decision would be taken at an appropriate time.
"With close scrutiny and complete seriousness, decisions addressing their demands and queries will be announced at the appropriate time. I am confident that the protesters will be reassured," he told reporters in Ranchi.
