Student activist Devendra Nath Mahato ended an indefinite hunger strike after receiving a personal appeal via video call from activist Sonam Wangchuk.
The resolution of the fast marks a pivotal moment in a growing movement against alleged corruption within the state's civil service examination systems. Students are demanding accountability for irregularities that they say have compromised their professional futures.
Mahato was protesting at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium in Morabadi, Ranchi [1]. The demonstration centered on alleged paper leaks and irregularities involving the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC) [2].
Five students had been on hunger strike as part of the mobilization [3]. The protest had entered its fifth consecutive day before Mahato drank water to break his fast [4]. While Mahato ended his strike, hundreds of other students continued to protest at the site [5].
The movement has utilized the stadium area to create a makeshift protest camp, mirroring the style of Jantar Mantar in New Delhi [6]. The activists seek a transparent investigation into the exam leaks to ensure fair competition for all candidates.
Sonam Wangchuk, known for his climate activism and educational reforms, extended his support to the students as the protests intensified [7]. His intervention via video call provided the catalyst for Mahato to prioritize his health while the broader movement continues to seek government action.
“Devendra Nath Mahato ended an indefinite hunger strike after receiving a personal appeal via video call from activist Sonam Wangchuk.”
The involvement of a high-profile figure like Sonam Wangchuk elevates a regional grievance over exam corruption to a broader national conversation about systemic transparency. By breaking the fast through a mediated appeal, the movement avoids a potential tragedy while maintaining the pressure of hundreds of protesters, shifting the strategy from individual sacrifice to collective endurance.
