Student leader Devendra Mahato drank water during an indefinite hunger strike after activist Sonam Wangchuk requested it during a video call.
The incident highlights the growing visibility of the protest in Ranchi, where students are challenging the integrity of state-level competitive examinations. The involvement of a high-profile activist like Wangchuk brings national attention to local administrative grievances.
Mahato leads the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha in a demonstration against alleged irregularities in the 14th JPSC examination [1]. The protesters are demanding the cancellation of that specific exam, and other competitive tests they believe were compromised [1], [3].
During the video call, Wangchuk urged Mahato to stay hydrated for health reasons. The student leader complied with the suggestion to maintain his physical well-being while continuing the protest. "I drank water only after his request," Mahato said [1].
The hunger strike remains ongoing at the protest site in Ranchi [2]. While Mahato accepted water, the movement continues to pressure the government to address the alleged systemic failures within the Jharkhand Public Service Commission [3].
This interaction marks a moment of intersection between regional student activism and national advocacy for transparency. The protesters maintain that the 14th JPSC examination must be scrapped to ensure fairness for all candidates [1].
“"I drank water only after his request."”
The intervention by Sonam Wangchuk elevates a regional dispute over civil service exams into a broader conversation about governance and transparency in India. By urging the protester to prioritize health without abandoning the cause, Wangchuk provides a strategic model for sustainable activism that avoids martyrdom while maintaining political pressure on the Jharkhand government.
