Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk on Wednesday persuaded Jharkhand student leader Devendra Nath Mahto to drink water during his indefinite hunger strike, warning that abstaining from both food and water amounted to risking his life as protests over alleged recruitment exam irregularities intensified in the state.
Mahto, who has been on a sit-in since July 25 and began an indefinite fast on August 2 at Ranchi's Jaipal Singh Munda Stadium, spoke to Wangchuk over a video call as fellow protesters supported him. Describing his deteriorating condition, Mahto said doctors had warned that he could require hospitalisation if he continued refusing water. He also said his family, particularly his mother, was deeply worried about his health.
Responding to his appeal, Wangchuk urged the student leader not to abandon water while continuing his peaceful agitation. "Giving up water is tantamount to suicide. Your movement may take weeks, and you need to stay alive to continue the fight," he told Mahto.
Following the conversation, Mahto drank water and later announced that he would continue his hunger strike by consuming only water and salt until the Jharkhand government addressed the protesters' demands. Five other members of the JPSC-JSSC Reforms Manch, including two women, have also begun an indefinite hunger strike.
Students and job aspirants in Ranchi have been protesting for weeks, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged paper leaks and irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). Protesters have accused the Hemant Soren-led government of attempting to dilute the investigation by assigning it to the state's Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has assured that the government is examining the demands seriously and said an appropriate decision would be taken after due scrutiny. Meanwhile, the CID has arrested 14 people, questioned former JPSC chairman L Khiangte and carried out raids across multiple districts as part of its probe.
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which recently led the nationwide NEET protest, has extended support to the Ranchi agitation. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke said the organisation would visit Jharkhand and stand with the protesting students in their demand for a fair investigation and recruitment process.
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