Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, is currently the epicenter of a major student movement. Thousands of students have been protesting at the Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium for the past several days. They allege that various government recruitment exams in the state are constantly plagued by paper leaks, alleged tampering of OMR sheets, and irregularities in the recruitment process. The students say their protest will continue until a fair investigation is conducted and the recruitment system is reformed.
Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato, who is leading this movement, has now become the talk of the town. He has begun an indefinite hunger strike. His supporters are calling him “Jharkhand’s Sonam Wangchuk,” as his movement also demands examination reforms and transparency.
Who is Devendra Nath Mahato?
Devendra Nath Mahato hails from a small village in Ranchi district. He received his early education in Bundu. He then earned a Master’s (MA) in Sanskrit and Kudmali (Tribal and Regional Language) from Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi. He also holds a B.Ed. degree from Hazaribagh.
Mahato is not only a student leader but has also been active on social issues for a long time. Since 2015, he has consistently raised his voice on issues such as scholarships, local government policies, reservations, transparency in recruitment exams, and paper leaks. He also contested the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections as an independent candidate from the Tamar Assembly seat.
Why did you start the hunger strike?
Devendra Nath Mahato began an indefinite hunger strike at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium on the night of August 2nd. He claims the government continues to ignore the students’ demands. He wrote on the social media platform X that the struggle, which began on July 5th and has been ongoing since July 25th, has now reached a decisive stage. He said that while his body may be weakening, his resolve to secure justice for the students remains stronger than ever. He also appealed to his supporters to continue the movement in a completely peaceful and constitutional manner.
What are the main demands of the students?
The agitating students have placed several major demands before the government.
- 14th JPSC preliminary exam should be cancelled.
- The alleged OMR sheet tampering and paper leak in the examination should be investigated by CBI and ED.
- There should be an independent investigation into the JSSC CGL paper leak case.
- Transparent and accountable system should be implemented in recruitment examinations.
- The accountability of the agencies conducting the examination should be fixed.
Why are the students of Jharkhand angry?
Students say that in the last few years many major examinations of the state have been in controversy.
1. Alleged irregularities in JPSC exam
Allegations of OMR sheet tampering and paper leaks have surfaced during the 14th Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) exam. Students claim that the agency responsible for conducting the exam, TDPL, had previously been blacklisted by other government agencies.
2. JSSC CGL paper leak
The 2024 JSSC CGL exam was also mired in controversy. The exam was re-conducted following allegations of a paper leak. Students are not satisfied with the CID investigation alone and are demanding an independent investigation by an independent agency.
3. Excise constable recruitment controversy
An alleged paper leak racket was uncovered in the Jharkhand Excise Constable recruitment exam. Investigating agencies arrested a large number of candidates and gang members. It was alleged that candidates were charged lakhs of rupees to memorize the question paper.
4. Matriculation Board exam paper leak
After the question papers of Jharkhand Board’s Class 10 Science and Hindi examinations went viral on social media, the examinations had to be cancelled and re-examinations had to be conducted in many districts.
Inspired by Delhi’s NEET movement
The Jharkhand movement is also being compared to the recent NEET exam reform movement. During that movement, social activist Sonam Wangchuk staged a long hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The central government subsequently issued written assurances regarding exam reforms. Similarly, Devendra Mahato argues that comprehensive reforms to the examination system are essential to safeguard the futures of millions of students in Jharkhand.
CJP also expressed support
Devendra Nath Mahato’s movement has also received support from the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Party founder Abhijit Dipke spoke with student leaders via video call and expressed his support for their movement.
The movement had an impact on the entire state.
The movement, which began at Ranchi’s Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, has now become a statewide campaign. Student organizations are protesting in several districts. Through torchlight processions, sit-ins, satyagrahas, and hunger strikes, students are pressuring the government to ensure transparency in recruitment examinations.
The students say this fight isn’t about a single exam, but about the future of millions of young people in Jharkhand. They claim the movement will continue until the recruitment process is made completely fair and transparent.