- Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been fasting since August 2 and took water on the fourth day at the urging of Wangchuk; talks on August 7-8 failed, and the protest continued on its 16th day.
- BJP state chief Babulal Marandi alleged that JSSC-CGL admit cards were found during an ED raid at a close friend of the Chief Minister, and demanded a CBI investigation.
- The protest has drawn support from the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), founded by Jairam Kumar Mahato, who won the Dumri seat in 2024; there are also divergent leaderships with two stages advancing differing demands.
- Jharkhand is governed by a JMM-led alliance including the Congress and RJD; the protest has resisted straightforward political alignment, with demonstrators carrying photos of Ambedkar and Shibu Soren, and placards urging it “not be politicised.”
The Jharkhand government is facing mounting pressure as student protests over alleged recruitment scams continue into their third week.
Protesters, who began their hunger strike on August 2, are demanding a CBI inquiry and the cancellation of the JPSC and JSSC examinations amid claims of corruption.12
Devendra Nath Mahto, the student leader, has been fasting, with support from activist Sonam Wangchuk, who urged him to take water on the fourth day.
Despite talks with the government on August 7 and 8, no agreement was reached, prompting plans for a march to the Assembly.
“How did JSSC-CGL admit cards reach a private premises? If the recruitment process was transparent, why is the government shying away from an independent CBI investigation into these serious allegations?” questioned Babulal Marandi, the BJP chief, linking the controversy to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.34
The protests have garnered support from various political factions, including the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, while demonstrators emphasize that their movement is about systemic change rather than political alignment.
As the agitation continues, the government has initiated a CID probe, arresting 19 individuals related to the alleged scam, but protesters remain steadfast in their demands for an independent investigation.
“Student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been fasting since August 2, taking water on the fourth day at Wangchuk's urging, while talks on August 7-8 failed. The protest has drawn support from JLKM, with divergent leaderships demanding either a CBI probe or the higher education minister's resignation.”
