Administrator
05 August 2026
Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto (33 year old) has broken the fast by drinking water on today ( August 5, 2026).It appears to be part a move to gain political mileage.
Mahto, who hails from Silli, 60 km from Ranchi, and who had contested polls twice in 2024.First, as an Independent candidate in the Lok Sabha elections from the Ranchi constituency (securing over 1.32 lakh votes).
Second, he also contested in the same year Jharkhand Assembly elections from the Tamar constituency as an Independent candidate of the anti- BJP front of Jairam Kumar Mahato who is popularly known as Tiger Jairam.
Devendra Nath Mahto has over a dozen criminal cases including attempt to murder and rioting in different police stations in Jharkhand.He had joined the students agitation launched last month end under the banner of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.
While the Manch took out processions and sat on dharna inside the Jaipal Singh Munda stadium in Ranchi on July 29, politician turned student leader camped on other side of the students Manch.
And then Devendra Nath Mahto sought to stall the show by sitting under another tent and proceeding on an indefinite hunger strike since August 3.
Mahto also raised the demand earlier raised by the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch-led by coordinator Ravindra Paswan.
The Manch has been demanding action over irregularities in the JPSC, JSSC and other competitive examinations.
Today, while the Manch students were planning to chalk out course of action, Devendra Nath Mahto consumed water on following a reported appeal from activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Reports claimed that in a 10-minute-long video call with Mahto, Wangchuk had expressed solidarity with the protesting students and voiced concern over the 33-year-old leader’s deteriorating health. He urged Mahto to at least consume water while continuing his fight for the students’ demands.
Following the conversation, report said, Mahto was quoted as saying that he had been unwell and agreed to take water after Wangchuk’s request. “I was not keeping well, but on Sonam Wangchuk ji’s request, I took water. I have pledged that the kind of support you extended to us at Jantar Mantar, we need the same support and presence here as well,” Mahto said.
However, Mahto made it clear that drinking water did not mark the end of his protest. He said he would continue his hunger strike and would not consume food until the government addresses their demands. “I will not consume food until the government fulfills our demands. I have only taken water,” he said.
“I will break my hunger strike only when you come to meet us. Sir, I request you to come here. We have great respect for you,” Mahto told Wangchuk during the call.
Mahto and his own supporters seem to have gained the limelight while the the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch led by coordinator Ravindra Paswan and thousands of students who were carrying forward their agitation peacefully were speechless, facing the ideal Catch 2.
In effect, during the past 10 days, two separate groups have been staging protests, demanding the cancellation of the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) examination, sweeping reforms in the JPSC and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), and a probe into the examination irregularities by the CBI or an independent panel of retired high court judges from outside the state.
Devendra Nath Mahto who is considered close to Tiger Jairam Mahto, a Member of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly representing the Dumri constituency.
Tiger Jai Ram Mahto is also the central president and founder of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) party, known for focusing on local rights and youth issues. In 2024 Assembly polls, JLKM had broken the spin of the BJP and its ally AJSU by fielding more than two dozen candidates. Though none of them, other than Tiger Jai Ram, won, they split the votes in four- five digits in constituencies and became ‘Vote Katwa’(vote cutter) against the BJP- AJSU and thereby helped JMM, Congress and RJD won several seats in Jharkhand.
Now, the presence of Devendra Nath Mahto appears to have jolted the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch.However, they appear to be sincere and honest in peacefully raising their demand for accountability in public recruitment without bothering about the ongoing ‘politics‘ to grab the limelight.
Alongside, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday said his government was taking the concerns of the protesting job aspirants seriously and would announce a decision at an appropriate time.
