JSSC Protest Devendra Nath Mahto: Protests are escalating in Jharkhand over the JPSC-JSSC paper leak case. Agitating student leader Devendra Nath Mahto has been on a hunger strike for the past three days at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Stadium, rapidly fueling the movement. Youth from across the state are joining his protest. Students’ families are also attending the protest site.
On Wednesday, August 5th, the protest completed 12 days. Jharkhand is experiencing heavy rains, but the youth and Devendra Nath Mahato are unwilling to leave their protest site. At Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Stadium, the students have neither a roof nor a tent to shelter them in the heavy rain. During the Jantar Mantar protest, Sonam Wangchuk had a stage, but here in Ranchi, the protesters lying on the ground have nothing.
students standing in the rain
The students are continuing their protest in an open field, supported only by a sail. Several videos of this demonstration are rapidly going viral on social media, clearly showing Devendra Nath Mahato remaining unmoved during the heavy rain, while the students are trying to shield him from the rain.
This scene is of the real student movement going on in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
This is how a movement happens, no anti-national or anti-religion slogans, no stone pelting on the police.
Because these are real students who love their country, hence they will not harm the country’s property.
As per rules, Soren should resign… pic.twitter.com/na5S5L03z2
— Pushpraj sharma (@ThePushprajX) August 5, 2026
Devendra Nath Mahato’s health deteriorated
Meanwhile, Devendra Nath Mahato’s health has also deteriorated. His condition is said to be critical due to the hunger strike and being drenched in the rain. His blood pressure and sugar levels have dropped significantly. He is experiencing severe body pain, fatigue, weakness, and dehydration. Based on doctors’ advice and his condition, he has been put on an IV drip.
Demand from Jharkhand government
Devendra Nath Mahato has clearly said that his movement will continue until the Jharkhand government pays serious attention to the legitimate demands of the youth and ensures transparency in the recruitment process along with an impartial investigation into the alleged irregularities and corruption in JPSC and JSSC.
Visuals from the protest site in Ranchi from late last night when it rained heavily and Hemant Soren didn’t even allowed tent to be installed near the protest site, we will not forget anything Hemant Soren Ji, we will not.#ResignHemantSoren#JharkhandStudentsProtest pic.twitter.com/QfnQlfwWKi
— Shashi Shekhar Singh (@S_ShekharSingh) August 3, 2026
He emphasized that this struggle is not about any particular individual or political party, but rather a fight for the future and dignity of millions of unemployed youth in Jharkhand and their families. The ever-growing crowd of youth and parents at the protest site reflects the deep concern and anger of the state’s youth demanding transparency and fairness in recruitment examinations.
14 people arrested so far in JPSC irregularities case
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand CID on Tuesday arrested three more people in connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities in the JPSC exams. The total number of arrests has now reached 14.