Devendra Mahato Defies Barricades, Vows to Continue Jharkhand Protest

Ranchi, August 10, 2026 The agitation over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s examination and recruitment system intensified on Monday as Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM) leader Devendra Nath Mahato joined the JPSC-JSCC Reform Morcha’s ‘Vidhan Sabha Gherao’ march in Ranchi. A sizeable gathering of students moved towards the Vidhan Sabha, where multiple barricades and heavy security were deployed. Mahato said the state government “will have to listen to the students’ demands.” Mahato, who has been on a hunger strike at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for nine days, reached the protest site in an ambulance while carrying a portrait of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren. He said, “Despite being on hunger strike, the barbed wires will not be able to stop us. I came here in an ambulance. The government will have to listen to us.” He added, “I am no God or messiah; I am a common man. There will be no change in my personal life. But the barbed wires hurt more than the hunger strike. Students crossed three layers of barricading. Why does the government want anarchy and not agree to students’ demands?” Mahato also appealed to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to avoid any police action that could worsen the situation. He said, “Today it’s CM Hemant Soren’s birthday, and he should not take such a step where some unfortunate events like at the Jantar Mantar take place here. Do not do anything that causes someone to bleed or get injured and makes the crowd even more agitated. Arrest is a legal process, but there should be no bloodshed. If the government does not agree to the demands, it will be remembered as the one which killed democracy. I will not end the fast.” Protesters demanded cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and a CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities. One protester said, “We are not going to stop today. Our first demand is to cancel the JSSC-CGL exam, secondly, a CBI probe.” Another stated, “We will move ahead when the barricading is opened; till then we will sit here.” Protesters also alleged that security personnel were stopping vehicles as more participants tried to reach the demonstration. Amid the standoff, Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari said the government remained committed to addressing the concerns of young people and called for peace. Criticising the BJP’s protest outside the Chief Minister’s residence, Ansari told reporters, “The BJP is an expert in diverting the youth. We stand with the youth; the government stands with you. We are holding talks and will find a solution. Remain peaceful.” The continuing mobilisation highlights the growing pressure on the Jharkhand government to respond to the students’ demands, while both sides face the challenge of preventing the protest from turning into a larger confrontation.