Raghubar Das Visits Hunger-Strike Leader Devendra Nath Mahto in Ranchi Hospital

Ranchi, August 13, 2026; Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday visited student activist Devendra Nath Mahto at Sadar Hospital in Ranchi and enquired about his health amid an ongoing protest over alleged irregularities in state recruitment examinations.

Mahto has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 11 days, demanding action over alleged discrepancies in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC).

Following the meeting, Mahto said Das had assured him of support for the students’ campaign and discussed his health condition during the hospital visit.

Mahto was admitted to Sadar Hospital after sustaining injuries during clashes between police and protesting aspirants on August 10. Despite receiving medical treatment, he has expressed a desire to return to the protest venue at Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, where students and job aspirants have been continuing their agitation.

In a communication to hospital authorities, Mahto said his absence from the protest site was causing him considerable distress. He maintained that his commitment to the movement remained unchanged despite his hospitalisation.

The agitation intensified earlier this week when thousands of JPSC and JSSC aspirants marched towards the Jharkhand Assembly in Ranchi. Police used force, including lathi-charge and water cannons, to disperse the protesters.

The demonstrators have been seeking cancellation of the JSSC-Combined Graduate Level (CGL) examination, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged irregularities and changes to the recruitment system.

The protesters have also maintained that their concerns have not been adequately addressed by the state government. Mahto’s continued hunger strike has emerged as a prominent point in the ongoing recruitment examination controversy in Jharkhand.